by Scott Whitaker
“…singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…”
Ephesians 5:19b-20 (NKJV)
I’ve had many good moments as a husband—you can even ask my bride, Lynda. She’d no doubt share some of those with you with. I have also had too many lesser moments as a husband—you can ask Lynda about those as well, although, knowing her, I suspect she’d never let on or let you know.
If I spent the rest of my life on this earth listing the reasons to be thankful for her life, I wouldn’t be able to complete the list before stepping into Heaven. No way. But maybe that’s what I should do each day, to help me embrace even more an attitude of gratitude in God and the blessings He has placed in my life—like her. An attitude which should guide my every thought, word and act.
What about you? Have you had some better moments as a husband, or as a bride, or in some other relationship you have—as a father, son, daughter, friend, or so many other roles we are privileged to fill? And maybe you still remember some of those lesser moments you wish you could forget. And you should forget.
Been spending long hours at the office lately preparing for a big project or a big game? How did it go? Make a misstep of insensitivity recently, causing the melody to change in a loved one’s heart? I’ll bet they are still nearby, waiting to forgive you. Perhaps your schedule has moved your child over into the column where they are beginning to feel “taken-for-granted.” Look down at the end-of-your-elbow and you’ll still see their shining face looking up at you waiting for you to notice them, again.
Maybe it would help if we celebrated Thanksgiving at least once-a-month, or even more. Perhaps we should all take time at least once a month, once a week, or even more often, to jot down all those people and things we have for which to be thankful. What would your list look like if you began to write them all down? All the blessings in your life.
For as we enter this most distinctive of American holiday seasons, it always seems to me that no matter where we find ourselves, in our own lives, families, or in our country and world, a mood of honest reflection always evokes an attitude of gratitude, a heart filled with thankfulness, and a basket full of reasons for renewed hope. Hope that is ours to claim afresh and anew for now and forever, no matter what we may have done, no matter what we’re going through today, or no matter what we face in our tomorrows.
Thanksgiving moves us to an attitude of gratitude, like it moved all of those who have gone before us, for all the blessings from God we enjoy. It’s a time of reflection upon the past, the present and the overarching faithfulness of God assuring our eternal future with Him. It’s a time where the simplest of things seem to come into clearer focus, so that everything of lesser importance fades into insignificance.
And perhaps most importantly, Thanksgiving is a time to turn our heads upward, to look beyond this world and remember—with a true spirit of humility and an attitude of gratitude—the One from Whom all blessings flow.
It’s Thanksgiving week and my hope for us all is that we might be reminded anew of those moments, people and other loved ones in our lives for which we should be thankful. But also in the midst of whatever our week and day will bring, I pray we will embrace with thanksgiving all the moments of blessing around us provided by the One Who knows you best and loves you most. Blessings which are often found closer than we realize, and yet right where they have always been.
On that note, our younger granddaughter, Ellie Kate, just walked into the room and put her arms around my neck and her head on my shoulders as I was finishing these thoughts to you. Where’s that list of blessings I was writing?
Happy Thanksgiving to each and every one of you, and to your dear family and friends, and may every day of the coming year for you be one filled with an attitude of gratitude, with lots of—
“…singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…”
In His Name--Scott
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