Give Thanks To God

Give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of  God for you in Christ Jesus.
I Thessalonians 5:19

November opens the door to a special season. A time for family and friends to give thanks to God. On this special day, our family spends time around the table sharing the blessings of each life. Our thanks may include new homes, jobs, and good health, but the sharing centers mostly on relationships. We are thankful for our relationship with God and the people He puts in our lives to nurture and love. These are the good things of life.

First Thessalonians tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances.” That means even the bad, hopeless and uncertain circumstances in which we find ourselves.

Imagine sitting around the table with no turkey, no dressing, no home, no family. The table is a cardboard box, adorned with a yellow weed from the curb. Carefully set out are leftovers from a neighboring  garbage can. So grateful for this bounty, the recipient bows his head to thank God. What a scene. And it isn’t even Thanksgiving. I’m not sure if I could give thanks in that situation. But sometimes removing all the distractions are just what we need to understand the hand of God on our lives.

We are a blessed country, blinded by our bounty. In many circumstances less really is more.

In I Samuel we find the story of Hannah, who cannot have children. She is one of two wives. The other wife has many children and taunts her mercilessly. Distraught, Hannah goes to the Temple to beseech God for a child of her own—one she would dedicate right back to Him. First Samuel 1:11 says she vowed to do this and indeed left him at the temple to serve God all the days of his life. Wow, I don’t know if I could do that either. After waiting so long for a child, to then give him up is a real sacrifice. But Hannah fully trusted and praised God and honored Him with her firstborn. Her son became the Prophet Samuel who anointed David to be  King. God opened Hannah’s womb and blessed her with several other sons and daughters.  Although her circumstances were hopeless, she leaned on God in full trust for the outcome.

That is the heart of Thanksgiving, that in all circumstances we give thanks to God.  Although we do not know the timing or result, we thank God for the journey. Every day is a time to thank God, even in the difficult situations. It is through trials that we come to appreciate life and see God’s hand of blessing.

We are capable of handling far more than we think we can endure. Trust God.

Have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving!