Chewing on "Thanksgiving" Until the Flavor Is Gone

Have you ever really considered the word "thanksgiving?" Have you chewed on it until the flavor was gone?

God tells us to be thankful. It's not a "recommendation." His grace-filled direction is to be thankful and not just occasionally. He instructs in scripture to give thanks always. Not when it's easy or convenient, but every day and for all we have. I dare say, there are times in life when that simple task is quite difficult.

And after we declare our praise and "thanks," we are called to follow through with an action of "giving." Earlier this year, when someone in my life was drowning in self pity, I told her the way out was clear ... focus on helping someone else. "Get outside of yourself and give of your time and talents." When she did that, she was less focused on the weight of the struggle pulling her under and more focused on opening her heart and showing someone else Jesus working through her.

In this time of thanksgiving, in obedience to thanking God for His abundant blessings, let us follow through with a gift of "giving." God’s will in Christ Jesus is that you would have constant joy, be in constant prayer and give constant thanks.

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:15, 17

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18