Happy Thanksgiving

I can vaguely remember from Grade School learning about Thanksgiving. Likely somewhere between picking my nose and getting up every 3 seconds to sharpen my pencil, I can recall my teacher talking about the celebration documented back to the early 1600’s in Plymouth, which we now know to be Massachusetts. The celebration was documented to have been as a result of a consecutive rainy season ending a drought that lead to a bountiful harvest. This bountiful harvest filled the people with a level of Thankfulness that lead to a reason to celebrate.

It doesn’t seem like very much has changed. Every generation has their story to tell. These stories are accompanied by challenges encountered that build character, allowing us to see the victory which gives us that reason to celebrate. It may not be identical to the early 1600’s, because when we run out of food we hop on over to a local grocery store and refill. We can do this because we have the ability to harvest anywhere in the world and have it imported in a short time period. 

I’m sure in the early 1600’s, they were standing in the barren and dry fields looking up to Christ, wondering when the rain would fall again, when the seedling would have the water it needs to bud, and when the fruit would bare so that life may continue through the nourishment of our bodies. I can’t even begin to imagine how their faith must have been tested as they pleaded for the rain that was not coming. They knew, like we do, that all God has to do is speak the word and the sky has to listen. But, in this case, He didn’t. At least, not right away or in the format to which it was expected. 

Sometimes I wonder, knowing the things we do as it is written in the Bible, what if we didn’t wait for the rain to come? What if we chose today, no matter what our circumstance, to Praise God with a joyful and thankful heart? How different would our Social Studies classes have been if the people of Plymouth had danced around the dry fields in celebration of the God who gave them life, sustained them, and loved them? What if they acknowledged that the soil didn’t need rain to produce, but that all it needed was for God to speak to it? 

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. It was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” Genesis 1:1-3

The second you open His Word, the first few lines you see show the Glory of our Father in Heaven. He didn’t just take nothing and turn it into something. He took nothing and made this magnificent world and everything in it. Just take a step out of your door and look at the world around you. Take a deep breath and be it clean crisp country or fume-filled city air, it’s air and it’s yours to enjoy. Look at the beautiful mountains, the open fields, the endless skyline or the big beautiful buildings and cross lines… he made it for you. Pick up your telephone and call your loved one. Speak to them from thousands of miles away just to tell them you love them. Look in the mirror and see deep into your eyes. Look at the shape and form of your face, your nose, cheeks, chin and lips. The detail of how intricately you were designed the day you began form in your mother’s womb. I think I could go on forever, but take a moment to think of the good things and realize we can’t even imagine grasping the wonders of God. Nothing compares to Him. 

Day in and day out, we have an unlimited amount of things to be thankful for. If Jesus taking it to the cross hasn’t punctured your heart of gratefulness just yet, I am praying for you, but some of the best advice I’ve ever been given to a heart of joy is as follows:

“Finally, brothers and sisters, always think about what is true. Think about what is noble, right and pure. Think about what is lovely and worthy of respect. If anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things” Philippians 4:8 

Thankfulness is going to start with the gift and ability to dance around the dry and barren fields. If that is you, don’t let this glorious moment pass. Don’t dance in preparation of the rain, dance in preparation for the return of Christ. If the rain comes in the interim, Glory to God… if it doesn’t, Glory to God. 

Happy Thanksgiving. 

Kimberly