We had our first snowfall the other day. The kids were thrilled to have the day off of school. They played Christmas music and begged to put up the decorations. “We haven’t even had Thanksgiving yet!” I responded. “So what?” they answered.
It’s the same thing in stores. Halloween wasn’t even over before the Christmas displays began to appear. Maybe Thanksgiving just isn’t a big money maker unless you’re the grocery. I guess when I think about it, that kind of makes sense. Gratitude doesn’t cost anything. It doesn’t require a shiny bow or elaborate planning. It’s best when it’s just spontaneously and sincerely given. We can cover a grinchy spirit with wrapping paper, but there’s no mistaking genuine gratitude.
Thankfulness isn’t our natural response. We don’t have to teach children to be selfish, but we do teach them (and remind them!) to say thank you. That’s all the more reason not to skip Thanksgiving. As we enter into the holiday season, before the frenzy of giving and getting and entertaining, it’s good to pause and reflect. To value and appreciate. To give praise before we give any other gift.
Maybe you don’t really appreciate your circumstances right now. That’s ok. We don’t always need to be glad about where we are. That’s not where thankfulness begins. Instead it begins with God, and our acknowledging who He is.
Thank God for who He is. All the good in our lives has His goodness as its starting point. Goodness is what He intends for us. Goodness is what He has promised us. So we can be confident that good is coming.
“Since the world began, no ear has heard, and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him.” Isaiah 64:4, emphasis added
Thank God for His sovereignty over all He has made. Nothing is outside of His jurisdiction. Nothing is beyond His knowledge or His power. There is great comfort in any situation when we know this to be true.
“We can be [absolutely] sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.” Romans 8:28 MSG
Thank God for what He has done. Read Psalm 136 for a review of the goodness God revealed through His care for Israel. There is mercy, kindness, compassion, protection, blessing, provision, salvation. These are the things we’re asking God for when we go to Him with our requests. These are what we can expect to receive from Him.
“He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who do what is right.” Psalm 84:11
Let gratitude be the very first gift you give of the Christmas season.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1