Thanksgiving, Who Exactly Are You Thanking?

Thanks to whom: Mother Nature, the Universe, evolution, friends, family, neighbors, the nation, our government, ourselves?

Thanksgiving is hollow and/or self-serving, if God is left out of the equation.  In a universe without God, there is no one to thank, but ourselves; and to thank ourselves?  Well, that seems misguided or just flat out wrong.

And for what exactly are we giving thanks:  Life, liberty, prosperity, good health, family?  But what if these things are falling apart, or have never truly been had, or are just not coming through for us, as we had hoped or expected; what then?  Shall we curse rather than thank?

What’s amazing is that I have seen people in the worst of circumstances, people who could be justifiably angry and bitter, given their lot in life, on the contrary have the greatest appreciation for Life and the deepest faith in God; yet, those who seemingly have everything going for them and then more, are often full of fear, resentment, and can be on the verge of despair.  What gives?

Partly it’s a matter of who is perceived to be in control.  The one with the appreciative grateful heart realizes and accepts that there are things bigger, much larger in life that one cannot control.  Believing that God is the only ONE who can and should have final control over all things and trusting in God’s ultimate goodness and mercy, his/her faith is firmly placed in God.  However, those who disdain the very idea of God are on their own, fending for him or herself.  For there is no ONE “up there” looking after him or her.  For him or her, life is one long struggle, a battle of wits and skill, a battle to make it to the top, to get the best, to be the best, to have it all, or at least to get as much out of this life as one possibly can.  But, when one finally makes it to the top, to whom should he or she give thanks, one’s self?

And when one does finally make it, finds him/herself at the top, one soon discovers how very fragile that position is.  It doesn’t take much to bring it all crashing down, does it?  An accident, a sudden illness, a son or daughter’s addiction to drugs, or perhaps an unexpected death, may ruin it all.  Yes, life can be fragile.  In that sense, it’s so very, very hard to keep control of things, isn’t it?

So, this Thanksgiving season might we give thanks to God and give God the credit where credit is due?  God has given a promise.  Ultimately things will be made right.  Evil will be condemned and goodness will finally prevail.  And even those of us who are guilty of contributing to the bad that prevails upon this earth, even we can find forgiveness and be given a “second chance” as it were—in Christ.   I’m talking about redemption, salvation, something for which we can most dearly be thankful.  Unless, of course, you are perfect in every way and have no need of grace from God.