I remember when our son John was 5 years old and I took him on his first camping trip. It was a “men only” weekend as my brothers and I took our children to Presquile Provincial Park for a time of fun and a ton of food. John and I camped in an old canvas tent that seemed to be the size of a big top and since I like to be comfortable I slept on a 24 four inch thick air mattress. But what made the whole trip memorable for me was the first night.
John and I were getting ready for bed. The teeth were brushed, the pajamas on and just before he climbed into bed John threw his arms around me, looked at me and said, “Thanks dad for taking me camping.” And the moment is forever etched in my mind, it took my breath away. I don’t think I’ve ever been moved as much by someone saying, “Thank you” as I was that evening. I was deeply touched because it was unexpected, and simple, and heartfelt. And I think I caught a glimpse of what it means to God when we give thanks to him in our prayers.
Romans 1:21 says that those who have turned away from God “neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him.” That means that they did not recognize their utter dependence upon God. They did not see that all that they were given came from his hand. Clearly, ingratitude is the height of sin.
So the Psalmist calls us to “give thanks to the Lord” (Psalm 107:1). And the reason we are to do so is because he is good and his love endures forever.
Thanksgiving is to be the song of every Christian. It is to be the tune of our prayers. In the prayer of thanksgiving we do the very thing that goes against our nature. We give God credit (rather than taking it for ourselves) for all that we have and all that are.
If you are having a hard time recognizing God’s work in your life and want to see him more clearly then begin by thanking him. Thank him for things that are obvious to you. Thank him for his Son Jesus, a new day, your friends, your family. Start small and soon, and this goes with a guarantee, you will begin to see God working in your life in ways you never dreamed. Doors will open up and you will begin to see that God was at work in situations that you never recognized before.
Shakespeare said, “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child.” Ingratitude cuts the heart. Thankfulness brings joy. We sometimes wonder, what can we give to God. Saying “Thank you” for his many blessings is a good place to start.
With thanksgiving for you, Pastor Tom.