Someone to Thank

     Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Yes, I know it's somewhat hard to remember, what with the Christmas carols playing, the greenery and lights already on display, and the lines of holiday shoppers at Hobby Lobby, but coming it is. How are you finding your Thanksgiving spirit? Are you overwhelmed at the many gifts you enjoy, or are you finding it a bit difficult to breathe thank-you's to the Father throughout your day?
    What are the key factors in a truly thankful heart? I've been pondering this question lately, and I've come up with a couple ideas. In no way do I believe they are conclusive. Neither are they new thoughts. But then, thankfulness is not new, either. Google says that forms of the word "thank" are in the Bible 139 times. If the people of old had so much to say of thanksgiving, it is doubtful I could conjure up new ideas about it.  
    It hit me quite suddenly why Thanksgiving is slowly but surely getting squeezed into nothingness between Halloween and Christmas. To celebrate Thanksgiving, one must have Someone to thank. If you do not believe in a God, you have no one to thank. If you believe in a God, but do not believe He loves you, you have no one to thank. If you believe in a God and believe that He loves you, but dwell in a state of dissatisfaction, you will feel there is little to be thankful for. It is no wonder many people find Thanksgiving worth celebrating only because of the food!
    Another thing that has impressed me about Thanksgiving is how vitally important it is to realize our complete unworthiness. It is difficult to accept that we have nothing to offer God, that all our attempts at perfection fall pitifully short of His mighty plan. It is in letting go of our pride and throwing ourselves completely on His mercy that we begin to glimpse His glory and realize how great the debt He paid. As long as we attempt to stay in control of some area of our lives, our thankfulness will remain stunted.
    The benefits of a thankful heart could fill pages of print! Not only has science proved the value of thankfulness, in Psalm 50:14 we are commanded to "Offer unto God Thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High." The immeasurable blessing of a thankful heart has opened up to me in a new way lately. With a feeling of unworthiness and awe, I believe we also gain more trust in God.
    How does thankfulness promote trust? For me, as I realize more and more that I am nothing and He is everything, and as I become aware that it is His love and His love alone that has brought me thus far in life, I begin to see His hand in everything. With sudden amazement I look back at my past and realize that He has always been there and in His mercy has provided all that I need. He has provided for me not only spiritually, but mentally, physically, and emotionally. There is no area of my life that His goodness has not touched. With this realization comes the recognition that there is no reason to fear and every reason to trust.
    This Thanksgiving season I find my heart overflowing. I cannot praise Him enough. I cannot thank Him enough. It is so wonderful to have a Father who loves and cares for me in every way. As Christians, may we lean more upon His love and use our lives to thank Him, for we are blessed indeed to have Someone to Thank.
    Happy Thanksgiving to all!