November 1, 2004

Let’s Give Thanks!

This is the season for thinking, planning and gathering together to celebrate our national Thanksgiving holiday. But will we spend our time, energies and monies on preparation for the family gatherings, or we will just simply just be thankful? I’m as excited as anyone about our kids coming home and thankful that this year we’ll all be sitting around our “new” table and no one will have to sit at a TV tray. But the dinner and even the day are short lived and if that Thursday is the center of our nation’s thanksgiving, we are in a world of hurt.

But you say, we’re Christians and we’re thankful every day. Are we? Does a day ever go by and you’ve failed to say thank you – to your spouse, your kids, the mailman, the clerk at the store, your co-worker or God?

Last month, as a church we were reading Hebrews – a book I’ve read countless times through the years, but it seemed like a new book to me this time as I contemplated afresh the role of Christ as my High Priest. I’ve cried out my thanksgiving to Him for not only His sacrifice in dying for me, but now for his ongoing intercession for me before the Father.

And then Hebrews 8:1,2 says “Here is the main point: Our High Priest sat down in the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. There he ministers in the sacred tent, the true place of worship that has been built by the Lord and not by human hands.” That was something new for me to be thankful for!! Jesus is interceding for me before the Father in the true place of worship, built by the Creator of all. Can you imagine what that must be like? We can see the glorious places of worship built by gifted craftsman all around the world; but they are only a shadow of what that place of true worship in heaven will be like. Talk about something to be thankful for!!

I guess my challenge for us this time is to find those “new” things in God’s Word, as you study and meditate, and renew your commitment to give thanks for what He has said, promised and taught. When my thanksgiving is centered there, then a thankful heart is born, cultivated and matures into a thankful way of life and thankful expressions of gratitude pour from my lips. Like everything else, a thankful heart starts with Him!

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving season? Share those thoughts with your loved ones and rejoice with them as they share theirs. Let’s make Thanksgiving a true time of thanksgiving around our tables this year.

Until next time … love and prayers,

RuthAnn Gleason, the Parson's Wife

ragleason@sbcglobal.net