I have a confession to make; I never get all that excited about Thanksgiving Day. Of course, I enjoy roasted turkey filled with old-fashioned cornbread stuffing just like the rest of the eating public. I look forward to mashed potatoes and gravy, overly buttered rolls, and to all the deserts that are part of the traditional festivities. But I don’t see Thanksgiving Day as being a standalone, twenty-four hour celebration requiring intense reflection and contemplation of all God has given to His creation.
I am so overwhelmed by the gift of life that I consider everyday Thanksgiving Day. Each day, I wakeup to a world that offers so many reasons to be thankful, I just can’t wait until the fourth Thursday in November to express my gratitude. God has given his creation the gift of thought, the power of personal choices, and the ability to seek and offer love.
This existence God has given us comes with highs and lows that have us laughing hysterically one minute and clenching our fists in mental anguish the next minute. Pain, suffering, celebration, renewal, and hope are all part of this human experience God has blessed us with.
The teenage boy who watches NFL football players on TV as he grows up experiences unbelievable exhilaration when he makes the varsity football team. God deserves the praise.
The young girl who has always dreamed of singing in front of a large audience can barely contain her excitement when she is asked to sing the national anthem in front of a national audience. God deserves the praise.
The young man who loves to race cars has never experienced such amazing news as the call he just received from a big time sponsor looking for a driver. God deserves the praise.
The young woman who has just finished her first movie is moved to tears when she hears a studio is interested in her work. God should get the praise.
The couple that has just learned they are expecting their first child is overwhelmed with joy and happiness. Guess who deserves the praise? You got it.
God deserves the praise, and His blessings are so great and wide that they can never be truly combined to a holiday here or a holiday here set aside for us to offer up our thanksgiving. So I must confess that I consider everyday Thanksgiving Day, only on the fourth Thursday of every November I will be praising God while eating way too much delicious grub
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Dan, I agree wholeheartedly with you about everyday being Thanksgiving. Yet, I do look forward so much to the day we have set aside for Thanksgiving, mainly because, here in the South, Thanksgiving Day is that "special day" kinfolk get together to eat and fellowship with each other. Oh, yes, of course, there is plenty of "gossip" that gets shared that day by some, for sure (we could do without that). Mostly, though, it is a fun day, and we do take the time out to reflect on the blessings God has given us the past year. But, you have made a worthy point; everyday should be Thanksgiving Day! Thanks for sharing, my friend. Thomas
