Being thankful should come in times other than being served with turkey and mashed potatoes. What are you thankful for? Who are you thankful for? Think about that for a couple of minutes. If you made a list what would be number one? What would be last? Would there be a list at all?
A teacher told her students to draw what they were thankful for. This first grade class, who lived in a deteriorating neighborhood, would they have anything to be thankful for? One of the students, whose name was Douglas, was a shy boy, usually very forlorn, who was found close in the shadows of the teacher. He turned in his drawing and it took the other children and the teacher by surprise. It was a simple drawing of a hand. The class was captivated by his image. “One classmate said it must be the hand of God.” “A farmer said another one.” It looks like a policeman protecting us.” The teacher was so thrilled about the response of the class. She bent over Douglas’ desk and asked whose hand it was. Douglas mumbled, “It’s yours teacher.” The teacher had always taken Douglas by the hand at times, she did this with all the children. But to have this to mean so much to Douglas really made her day. It made her realize you never know who you are going to make a difference to. Nothing is unimportant, everything counts. Even the negative counts! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever! (Psalm 107:1-3}
Without being thankful we can become bitter. Without being thankful we can become entitled. The spirit of ingratitude can harden our hearts and chill our relationship with God and with others. Ingratitude is all around us. Children forget to thank their parents for all they do. Common courtesy is scorned. We take for granted the ways that others help us. Above all, we fail to thank God for His blessings. We all fall short of letting others know how we appreciate them and the job they are doing. No one is exempt from some kind of trouble,… and yet in the midst of those trials we can thank God, because we know that He has promised to be with us and that He will help us. When we come to Christ, it is not the end but the beginning of a whole new life. Want to change your day, your life, your relationships, and the outcome of your eternity? Then start today. Give thanks! instead of BAH HUMBUG. Change your attitude, give thanks! Change the way you start your day, change the way you act during the day, and change the thankfulness of before going to bed. Thank God! It will change your life! It will change everyone around you.
With a thankful heart,
Rev. Walter Coy
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