The Preacher's Pen 

"Think Thankfullness "

The turkey psycho declares that most of the mature birds are. . .well, to say the least, "nervous" if not depressed. They know the President will pardon only one lucky turkey at Thanksgiving this year. They know the odds are definitely not favorable. Most of them are going to make it to the dining table, not to eat but to be eaten. Be grateful that you don't live in a country where the turkeys have the upper hand and could turn the tables on us! Ha! The Apostle Paul says, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus," 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17. God wants us to "think thankfulness" or to say it another way, we should display "the attitude of gratitude." 

There are many positive elements in gratitude. The grateful man feels happy. He feels secure with his relationships.  He feels fortunate to be where he is and to have what he has. He knows the source of all good things is God, James 1:17-18. He relishes the idea of  his salvation in Jesus, 2 Corinthians 9:15. He whispers a prayer of thanksgiving for God's wonderful grace. He thinks thankfulness. He knows he has been blessed every day of the year, but now his world stops for a few hours to pay tribute to his God and his family. Dreams of joy dance in his head fueled by his thankfulness to be so blessed--the attitude of gratitude. 

In America, there will be the gathering of the clans. Airports will be overcrowded as hearts longing for home wend their way homeward. The roads will be crowded but the inconvenience will be small compared to the rewards of reunion. The loving, yearning arms of moms and dads at the destination of that journey will be the prize. Families with glowing faces will delight to be together. The food will be scrumptious, the company scintillating, the occasion memorable. And, of course, we'll take time to worship the one who made all this possible--the Heavenly Father above.

Let me share a letter written to God  by some unknown author who thinks thankfulness:   

DEAR GOD

I want to thank you for what you have already done. I  am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards; I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better; I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me; I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears; I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves; I am going to thank you right now. I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet; I am going to thank you right now. I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job; I am going to thank you right now. I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me grief or pain; I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed; I am thanking you right now. I am thanking you because I am alive.  I am thanking you because I made it through this day's difficulties. I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles. I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do better. I'm thanking you because Father, YOU haven't given up on me.

God is just so good and kind. He cares for you and me, though we are mystified why he would. Our own observation tells us that we are not worthy of such care. Even when we have done all we should do, we are still unprofitable to him, Luke 17:10. But just as the sun warms us everyday, He just goes on loving us. He is good all the time. Let us THANK HIM with all our hearts.

Love you all,

Al--"the Horne of Africa."

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