Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Yes, it is Thanksgiving day. It is a beautiful, but cold, day here in Kansas. Our thermometer read 20 degrees this morning. Frost was everywhere. And those flowers out front and in back that survived earlier cold snaps finally met their waterloo.

What to be thankful for today? I noticed a poll on CNN.com giving three choices of what would be most enjoyed today - family, food, or TV. I voted for family, even though Clara and I will spend our day by ourselves today. Family got 50%, food about 40%, with TV coming in way behind. That's good.

Not all would vote for family knowing that their family get-together might not be a pleasant one, or perhaps because they have no family with which to gather. I think our children are all gathering with their respective families today. We plan to be with extended family on Saturday - the time when all those invited could be there, I assume.

My devotional reading this morning was from Psalm 145. It made me aware again that my basic sense of thanksgiving is for Who God is, and for what He has given us - this good earth and His eternal Kingdom. I quote several verses from this Psalm for your thought and meditation:

"I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.

"Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.
One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts." (vs.1-4)

"They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might,
so that all "people" may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. (vs 11-13a).

"My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord,
Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever." (v.21).

These words lifted my spirit and gave me just cause to truly thank the Lord for His goodness, His love, and His mercy which He so generously has given to us.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Pilgrim on the way.