SNOW

West Texas weather is changeable. So when we were blanketed with six inches of snow on Thanksgiving Day it was not too much of a surprise. But it was unusual. Thanksgiving in west Texas is often balmy. I remember many Thanksgivings when families had no problem with travel. And when together, the children played outside without jackets.

But Thanksgiving Day this year was the kind of day people sometimes wish for at Christmas. The landscape was cleansed by a brilliant white.

The Bible speaks of the darkness of sin. But this is changed when Jesus provides cleansing. Pray with the Psalmist, “Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7 (KJV)

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18 (KJV)

A TIME TO SHARE LOVE

I remember as a child, gathering at the table on Thanksgiving day, feasting on the food Mother had cooked and hearing Daddy lead a prayer thanking God for His blessings. But try as I might, I don’t remember what food we had at those meals. What I do remember is being together with my parents and my brother and sisters. We were a family—and we loved each other.

Today, Marion and I look forward to the times we can be with our children and grandchildren for Thanksgiving or Christmas. The food is always good; but best of all is the love we share as a family. It’s good being together.

For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. I John 3:11 (KJV)

LIVING WITHOUT THANKFULNESS

The idea of being thankful makes me think of Bob, who was never thankful. Bob (not his real name) was a member of a choir I directed, and I always dreaded choir practice because of him. Introducing a new song to the choir was a challenge. As soon as we had sung through any song the first time Bob would yell, “I don’t like it!”

Bob’s whole life was negative. He was unhappy and miserable. People avoided him, so he had few friends. How much better if he could have shown gratitude and thankfulness to those around him. His life and the lives of his family and friends would have been much happier.

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-8 (KJV)

THANKFULNESS

This week all thoughts are on thanksgiving—not so much the giving of thanks as the holiday called Thanksgiving. Schools are out for the week to the delight of students and teachers, and many families are taking advantage of days off for a fall vacation.

Families are making plans to get together for a traditional Thanksgiving meal. A newer tradition will place millions in front of television sets to root for a favorite football team.

In all our observations of traditions, let’s not forget the oldest Thanksgiving tradition of all. Let’s not forget to thank God for his many blessings.

O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever. I Chronicles 16:34. (KJV)