Today is Thanksgiving Day. Millions of turkeys have been stuffed and trussed, roasted or deep-fried. Traditional, non-traditional, and assorted ethnic fixings, trimmings, side dishes, pies, and more goodies than I can name are laid out for happy consumption by friends and family. Well, not for everybody – but more on that another day.
We perpetuate myths and so easily accept anachronisms about how Pilgrims and Native Peoples shared the first Thanksgiving feast to feel some sense of tradition—even when we know better. How about all those kindergartners, dressed in paper costumes that are not even remotely accurate, reciting their memorized lines before an adoring audience that delights in every line and gesture. Famous paintings like Brownscomb’s “Thanksgiving” immortalize a romanticized image completely inaccurate.
As I think about the holiday and its origins, it takes me to the beliefs of the early settlers in setting aside days for corporate giving of thanks within their congregations. It takes me to Scriptures regarding the giving of thanks to God as those early settlers did, but—for what.
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— (1 Timothy 2:1).” Yes, it says for ALL people. That includes family, friends, and people we like. It also includes people who we may find repulsive (let’s be honest—some people are a challenge), people who are different in thought and deed from us, people who do and say hateful and hurtful things (we may need to examine self on some of these things, seek forgiveness, and repentance), and the people we don’t know personally but we know they exist.
“We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing (2 Thessalonians 1:3).” I am reminded of my own brothers and sisters in Christ both near and some very far. We have unique lives and customs, but the love of God binds us as one huge family. I’m very grateful for each one.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6).” Simply doing life brings about daily challenges—some minor and others insurmountable without the grace of God. Anxiety over them adds layers of negative effects. The antidote: Prayer with thanksgiving – not for the challenges, but for God’s answers, interventions, and peace even before they manifest. It gives the peace that “passes all understanding.”
“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God (2 Corinthians 9:11).” Generosity and thanksgiving are inseparable twins. Each provokes the other. When you are thankful, it prompts you to be generous. When you are generous, it prompts you to be thankful in all you have. My final thought on thankfulness and generosity is that they are like the ripples in a lake when a stone is dropped into it. “All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God (2 Corinthians 4:15). Have an extraordinarily happy Thanksgiving Day!
Copyright 2016 by Eva S. Benevento. All rights reserved.