“I LOVE THANKSGIVING”
I love the Thanksgiving holiday. It brings back many memories of going to my grandparents, later visiting my parents and Janet’s parents when we lived near them. Memories of having snow at Thanksgiving, when living in the Detroit area, going to Thanksgiving Day parade and then having Thanksgiving dinner either at our home or at Al and Jean Medleys. Oh yes, living in Detroit we had to watch the Lion’s (mostly get beat). Great food, lots of fellowship and a wonderful day of being with those whom you love. So, let’s reflect on some things.
GOD IS GOOD! In 1948 Bro. L.O. Sanderson (1901-1992) wrote and put to music a beautiful song entitled, The Lord Has Been Mindful of Me, the chorus goes like this:
“The Lord has been mindful of me! He blesses and blesses again!
My God is the God of the living! How excellent is His name!”
When you observe the turmoil in our world isn’t it refreshing to know that God is good. In spite of man’s rebellion God still blesses. One writer in commenting on the song wrote, “In this life I will have times of toil, tribulation, and even tragedy, but I will also have times of triumph. And through it all, the many good things that I have from the Lord’s bountiful hand to supply my needs and sustain me even in the difficult days remind me that ‘The Lord Has Been Mindful of Me.’” Thanksgiving is a reminder that God is good.
LIFE IS GOOD! Jesus said, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (Jn. 10:10). Life is good because as a Christian we have the promise, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). Thanksgiving is a time to reflect upon life and how we are blessed by God. I received a call from a brother recently informing me of a great need in an African country where there has been a great drought. He said folks are starving. For $16.00 you can purchase a bag of Maze (also called roller meal) that will feed a family of four for 30 days. None of us will even come close to being hungry let alone starving. Yes, Thanksgiving is a reminder that life is good.
FAMILIES ARE GOOD! Thanksgiving is one the busiest travel times of the year. Where are all these folks going? Some vacationing, but most to be with family. Families are important to your children because it is in the home where they receive their identity. It is there they learn their habits and discipline. Families stay with you when times are difficult. Families make for a better society. When we have something to celebrate or crises, where do we turn? Our families. Thanksgiving is a time for families.
