A recent devotion I read said this: Thanksgiving is the language of Love.
It’s true, right?
How great would our relationships be if we’d just say ‘thank you’ on a regular basis?
We can get so bogged down with irritations, hurts, pettiness, self-centeredness, doubts, disagreements, disappointments, weariness, busyness, responsibilities, tragedies, misunderstandings, blindsides, distractions, detours, mountains, valleys, highs, lows, wins, losses… uttering a simple ‘thank you’ ends up being more painful than a root canal.
That’s why the Bible tells us to give thanks in all things, and to think of things that are lovely, noble, pure and of good report. If we don’t, it’s like sledding down Mt. Everest on a tiny square of cardboard – a.k.a. a slippery slope.
This year, though ‘things’ aren’t exactly ideal as far as living the dream, I have learned something about what it really means to be grateful and to give thanks to the Lord in everything.
It’s a matter of perspective.
I can either start at the bottom or the top. Let’s go bottom up, shall we?
My heart currently beats.
I haven’t missed a breath for 37+ years.
Though I was born with one hip out of joint, I’m capable of jogging several miles at a time if I’m so inclined thanks to the doctor who noticed a slight abnormality before I left the hospital for the first time.
I can see, hear, smell, taste, and feel.
I can speak, think, communicate and comprehend.
I grew up knowing my dad, mom, and relatives loved me.
When I was young, God introduced me to the love of my life, my Daniel, and I got to marry him. He’s been more than a blessing, a complete joy, ever since.
We’ve experienced together the varied sub-cultures of this great United States of America, met scads of beautiful and special people we cherish, and had the opportunity to see amazing wonders and treasures God’s put in this world.
We’ve got friends and family who’ve loved and supported us unconditionally despite our mistakes, failures and misfortunes.
I’m warm in the cold weather, cool in the hot weather, fed (maybe a little too well), enjoy a comfortable bed, and have a packed closet.
Look, I could go on and on – and I haven’t mentioned one thing that is not of good report. Listing that which I am thankful for doesn’t make me forget those things, because they definitely exist, but it sure does shine a brighter light on the whole picture.
But the most important, most amazing, most indisputable reason I have for being thankful despite anything I see or experience is that my Creator, the Perfect Lover Jesus Christ, loved me so much, He rescued me from my demise – a death that I deserved – and invited me to spend eternity with Him in paradise.
One of my favorite lyrics in all of music is from David Crowder's "How He Loves" - "I don't have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way He loves." (See sidebar for link to listen to the entire song!)
No matter what is happening in your life, even if there’s not one thing going right, even if you are on your deathbed, you can be thankful that Jesus loves you. Accepting that gift is the first step toward living the language of love and discovering a new existence.
I’m thankful for each one of you, too, Dry Ground friends. I pray your Thanksgiving celebration is saturated with Love. Remember to say ‘thank you’ as often as possible!
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