Today is not Thanksgiving. Today is Tuesday, a regular day in November. It happens to be two days before our national day of thanks, but honestly it could be any day in any month. Just a plain old Tuesday. Only it wasn't. Today should be Thanksgiving. Today was anything but normal. I don't want normal anymore.
This Thursday is the day we Americans set aside as the day to nationally and officially give thanks. Most of us celebrate with family and friends. Usually a turkey is involved, stuffing or dressing (depending on your region of the country), sweet potatoes, and a pie or two. We overeat, much as we do the rest of the year; this time it is on food that is relegated for our special feast. We pause. We say we are thankful. We take it for granted that we have these blessings, casually asking for blessings on the food. We say we are thankful, but it doesn't always reach our hearts.
God has been working on me this week. He is removing the callouses that have hardened my heart. He is teaching me obedience (mine), faithfulness (His), and He is throwing in a large dose of mercy and grace (both for my own use and to share). Sunday I saw a video from just after the tornado hit Birmingham. In the midst of the relief effort there, some nameless recipient lettered a sign and posted at the edge of their yard: "I saw God today." The second sign simply said, "Thank you."
I've been thinking. Saying "thank you" is easy. Someone holds open the door for you to pass through. Out pops "thanks". Someone gives you a stick of gum. Manners dictate a "thank you". Someone helps you in the midst of a bind, you thank them generously. Saying thank you isn't difficult. BEING thankful is.
I've not always had a thankful heart. I've said the words, I've had much to be thankful for, and I've acknowledged those blessings, but I've not always been thankful. Today, I am. Today, I am thankful for my second chance to tell an uncle that Jesus loves him and died for him. Today, I am thankful that God sees fit to use me to share His love. Today, I am blown-away amazed that God orchestrated my entire day just so I could tell my uncle about the amazing grace He offers--even to alcoholics, especially to alcoholics. Today I am thankful that God saw fit to give me words of LIFE so that I could share them with one of His creation, one of His beloved. Today, I am awed to know that as I watched my cousin care for his father, I saw God. I will never be the same again. And I am so thankful!
So, today is Thanks-giving for me. I will not wait until Thursday to stop and take stock of my blessings and understand all that I have to be thankful for. Today, I give thanks to my God for second chances--for me, for my family, and, specifically, for my uncle. Today, I give thanks that God loves me enough to give His one Son to save me from what I deserved--a forever in Hell. I am thankful He loves me so much that He sent someone to tell me. And I am blessed, so blessed, that He gives me the chance to tell someone else about Jesus! (Now you know. If you want to, need to hear more, let me know! I've lots to talk about!)
Now that you know too, go tell someone else. It will be the highlight of your day.
Happy Thanks-giving and Happy Thanks-being. They're both good!
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