Thank God

Turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Family and friends. Black Friday sales - some even on Thursday. Things have changed greatly since the first Thanksgiving. God is less of a focus and the emphasis is on the things of the world including food, fun and the almighty dollar. Instead of thanking God for all of the blessings he has given, there is a flurry of activity that has little to do with God. The day that President George Washington proclaimed in November 26, 1789, "as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favours of Almighty God", has over time become the first day of Christmas shopping. For retail stores the important aspect is sales, not God or even family. 

 Take a stand. Celebrate by taking the time to have those around your Thanksgiving table say a prayer of grace and praise. Spend time listing the blessings and provisions God has given and thank Him. Open the Word and read a psalm of thanksgiving. Demonstrate Jesus to someone by providing them a meal or special kindness. Refrain from heading out to retail store on Thanksgiving Day to send a message that retailers should recognize Thanksgiving as a day to respectfully allow families to give thanks together. Most of all, enjoy the freedom you have in Jesus Christ and be thankful for the gift of his promises.

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." Psalm 100:4