In the year's march of days the seasons come and go, each month bringing its own joys and opportunities. It is the Christian who enters heartily into the annual day of gratitude—Thanksgiving Day! And yet every day may be an opportunity to praise God for His many blessings. He abundantly supplies His children with love, goodness, mercy, and protection. And to help us remember these gifts in a special way we celebrate Thanksgiving.
The First Thanksgiving Day
Because America is still among the younger nations we might gather from her history a few reasons for national gratitude. The first Thanksgiving Day found the Plymouth colonists facing a severe winter without sufficient food. It was then that Governor Bradford welcomed the ship with supplies of food from England, and new courage gripped the people. According to Benjamin Franklin, "In a time of great despondency among the first settlers of New England, it was proposed in one of their assemblies to proclaim a fast. An old farmer arose, reviewed their mercies, and proposed that, instead of provoking Heaven with their complaints, they appoint a day of thanksgiving."—Millard A. Jenkens, Special Day Sermons (Broadman Press), pp. 104, 105.
Of the close of the next century we read: "When George III proclaimed a day of thanksgiving after he had lost the American colonies at the conclusion of the Revolutionary War, one of his bishops asked: 'What shall we give thanks for at such a time as this? Is it because you have lost your thirteen colonies, and the millions of treasure spent in the war, and the thousands whose blood has been spilt?' No; said the king, 'let us thank God it is no worse.'" —Ibid.
To be sure, the first Americans who commemorated this day were thankful for food. They had learned their lesson the hard way.
But had they been asked what blessing filled them with deepest gratitude they would certainly have said, "The freedom to worship God as we choose." Pride and humility must fill the heart of every American as he ponders the wonder and blessing of having been born in a country that has chosen Thanksgiving as one of its national holidays. Pity the man who takes such blessings for granted without a whisper of thanks! How appropriate are the words of the psalmist, "What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?" (Ps. 116:12).
"The Sacrifice of Thanksgiving"
In this psalm (116) we find specific reasons for gratitude. First David thanked God for answered prayer and declared in grateful mood, "I love the Lord." Next he recounted God's loving care and mercy when he was "brought low." He was delivered from affliction and death. He then resolved to "walk before the Lord." David also repented of his rash conclusions regarding his enemies who had falsified him. His thankfulness brought forth sincere vows in the presence of God's people. He would take the "cup of salvation" for himself, and undoubtedly offer it to others. He would pay his vows unto the Lord and offer to Him "the sacrifice of thanksgiving." While salvation is a free gift, our appreciation for it is expressed in deeds of humility and loving service for others. We bring our sacrificial offerings for the promulgation of God's work in all the world.
The Magnet of Gratitude
Oliver Wendell Holmes once remarked about God's goodness in life's unpleasant testing experiences: "If one should give me a dish of sand and tell me there were particles of iron in it, I might look for them with my eyes, and search for them with my clumsy fingers, and be unable to detect them; but let me take a magnet and sweep through it, and how it would draw to itself the almost invisible particles by the mere power of attraction! The unthankful heart, like my finger in the sand, discovers no mercies: but let the thankful heart sweep through the day; and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings; only the iron in God's sand is gold."—Wm. H. Leach and J. W. G. Ward, Special Day Sermons With Worship Outlines (Cokesbury Press), pp. 261, 262.
Here we would want to train ourselves to refrain from grumbling and complaining. The knowledge that God's purpose is being worked out in our lives should give us confidence in His interest in us, moving us to declare with David, "I love the Lord."
Dispensing Cheer and Courage
Too many Christians in our churches are immature. Life's problems weigh them down with perplexities. They need to know God—not doctrines only. Today, ministers pastoring churches and teachers leading out in our schools and institutions need a double measure of spiritual poise and courage—more than just sufficient for themselves. Others must catch the spirit of our joyful service and take heart for their daily tasks. As God's men and women we must awaken feelings of gratitude in the hearts of men and women, teaching them by precept and example how to develop cheerful dispositions.
Note these emphases in Psalm 116: The child of God is happy. He overlooks the provocations of the enemy. But how? By being active for the Lord. Children reared in homes where Thank you's and words of commendation are not heard will disseminate the spirit of discontent and faultfinding when they attend our church schools. How necessary it is for every teacher to look upon her classroom as a mission field where it is her duty and privilege to sow the good seeds that build character for God. If we have a personal interest in those who need our help, we will sow in faith, expecting to reap in joy.
Thanksgiving in Our Midst
The Thanksgiving season provides an opportunity for the church to extend a helping hand to the poor and feeble of the community. Encourage the youth to share in scattering cheer and sunshine among the needy and the aging. Let many have a part in ministering to the less fortunate, carrying tokens of our thoughtfulness and love. Welfare groups in the church may need to lead out in the project, but young and old alike will want to experience the joy of sharing. Let the children take an active part.
DISCUSSION POINTERS
How do my blessings compare with those of the Plymouth colonists on the first Thanksgiving Day?
How do they compare with those of the afflicted I know? (Iron-lung cases or victims of tragedy well known to the Shepherdess group.)
When inviting friends to a Thanksgiving dinner, who should not be overlooked?
Shepherdesses, the following books will provide ideas and inspiration for your talks.
How Long the Night, Claribel Dick, The Judson Press
Through Gates of Splendor, Elisabeth Elliot, Harper and Brothers.
