On the Fourth of July we Americans celebrate our independence; on the fourth Thursday of November we gratefully acknowledge our dependence.Hi, I’m Tom Ellsworth from Sherwood Oaks Christian Church with a minute message.
Thanksgiving is so much more than a day of feasting and football; the Pilgrims did not celebrate with the idea that they were creating the first national holiday for a future nation. They celebrated and worshiped with grateful hearts for the blessings of God in this new land. Thanksgiving is an attitude; a way of life that ought to permeate our daily existence. Thankfulness that is recognized only once a year is not true gratitude; even the biggest grouch can be thankful one day out of 365. A daily attitude of thanksgiving is what God is looking for in all of us. Edward Martin wrote, “Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow.”
So here’s the bottom line. You can focus on being greedy or grateful; thankless or thankful. The difference is in your dependence – learn to depend on God and you’ll discover that you have every reason to thank Him for all of your blessings.