Prayer Journal

Tuesday, November 25, 2003

As we approach this season called, Thanksgiving, it's always a good idea to count our blessings. We should do this not so much to realize the immensity of what we have as to humbly consider the love God lavishly showers on us. Thanksgiving is a time for telling God how much we appreciate what He's done for us.

It's hard for me to imagine having an ungrateful spirit. As Americans, we are without a doubt blessed beyond our capacity to enjoy everything we own. Instead of Thanksgiving, maybe we should be practicing "Thanksliving" this year - a yearlong lifestyle, not just a day where we say we're thankful.

And there's Christmas - Pretty packages everywhere. Gifts abounding - at school, church, parties, one parents' house, second parent's house, mother's parent's house, father's parent's house and on and on. It's not hard to see an emerging pattern of vulgar gluttony in most American homes this Christmas.

Don't think so? Keep your eyes and ears open this season. You'll most likely see kids sitting patiently waiting to open their presents. "One, two, three presents four; there's just got to be more!" Unapologetic self-indulgence - something we parents have taught our kids by giving them bigger and better gifts each Christmas and more of them. It's the thing we're expected to do and the thing kids now expect.

Want to practice Thanksliving? Here's how:

• First, recognize that everything you have belongs to God. He gave it and He can surely take it away;
• Next, the phrase "use it or lose it," is not in the Bible but it could be. Everything you own needs to be "in play." That means storing up a "necessity" while those you claim to love go without it, is sin;
• Finally, Thanksliving begins at home. That means while looking for those outside your congregation to love this season, you shouldn't ignore those God placed around you who have needs. You do know who they are, right?

A person practicing Thanksliving will find a way to love people and doesn't seek the spotlight after having done so. It's not always easy finding someone who practices Thanksliving; they don't promote themselves. To find them, you may have to follow the trail of loving care they left behind.

Thanksgiving is good; Thanksliving is better.

Just Thinkin'... WebServant

Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

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