thanks: "an expression of gratitude; grateful acknowledgment of something received by or done for one." - Collins Dictionary
thanksgiving: "the act of saying or showing that you are grateful, especially to God" - Cambridge Dictionary
Thanksgiving: is a national holiday celebrated on various dates in the United States, Canada, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Liberia, and unofficially in countries like Brazil and the Philippines... - Wikipedia
Despite any possible contention around the general details of American Thanksgiving (given current society's bent toward argument and dissension), the intent expressed in it's very name bestows on it the potential occasion of a holy offering in its observance - "thanksgiving". The definition of what it means to anyone is demonstrated and dependent entirely on how the "holiday" in question is in fact honored and observed by them.
As with most things of old tradition these days, the opportunity is all too present for the "holiday" to be observed with commercial interest or merely for human, self pleasing, pleasure. If in fact the observance is based purely on the exercise of either of those intents or some similarly humanistic employment, then I submit that any observance, purely in like manner, is made moot and of no value, since those causes have no eternal value and are both common to the daily interests and pursuits of humanity and have the opportunity to perish with it also.
If on the other hand, one were to consider the exercise of "thanksgivng" after taking stock of the wealth of one's blessings in the basest of things, say life itself for instance, clean water, or shelter, clothing and food in one's belly, and then work your way up to the more pleasurable comforts one might possess in life, the earnest and honest accounting would in fact reveal a long list of individual causes to offer humbled thanks and the Thanksgiving Day providing a more pronounced occasion to do so. Could this in fact be the true reason and motivation behind the observance of the day? I submit that it is if one's heart is in its observance and offering - recognizing that "thanksgiving" to God preceded "Thanksgiving".
None of us had any choice in where we were born or who we were born to - neither the country, the race, the social level, or the parents we were born to. In consideration, we have to recognize that God alone saw fit to bring us into this world where we are and it's to Him that we owe thanks for any advantage that he gave us over complete destitution and what He may have otherwise subjected us to. Society at large has become an ungrateful people and our shame before God is not missed by His notice. Our lack of gratitude in return for His divine grace daily and from occasion to occasion of grace would be met with great disapproval and disdain if we were the benefactors and true providers to such ingratitude ... and yet we continually ask and expect more from Him.
My own mother was the best example to me of how "thanksgiving" should be observed on "Thanksgiving" day. She would be unusually quiet, but not at all unpleasant, while focusing on her personal journey through the many reasons that she had to be thankful for God's grace to her personally as well as to her family in her heart over the past year and in the current moment. She would be continually offering her sincere thanks for each one to her Father as her mind touched on them as she went. She was involved in deep conversations with her Lord throughout the day. She would prepare a traditional meal, but the meal wasn't her primary focus and the meal was a work of joy and love - an offering from her heart to demonstrate the wealth of God's blessing and provision.
Whatever "Thanksgiving" represents to anyone else, from my youth since, "Thanksgiving" has represented an opportunity for "thanksgiving" and an exceptional spiritual communion with the God of my provision - a holy day of giving thanks to Father God who's most deserving for every detail of His blessings. So how we keep it in our hearts is most important.
"Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God." Hebrew 13:15 (NLT)
"Sing out your thanks to the LORD; sing praises to our God with a harp. He covers the heavens with clouds, provides rain for the earth, and makes the grass grow in mountain pastures. He gives food to the wild animals and feeds the young ravens when they cry. He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might. No, the LORD’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love." Psalm 147:7-11 (NLT)
Make it count - don't waste the opportunity.
"No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 (NLT)
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