Wednesday, November 26, 2008


ramblings on thankfulness...

...one of the first things we each need to consider, especially as followers of Jesus, is our attitude in regard to thanks giving. What is the level of gratitude we are experiencing internally? Would someone who meets us be moved to consider their own gratitude, because something about us caused them to examine their own lives and ponder all that they have.


Notice that the term “thanks giving” (above) is not capitalized, that's because I wasn't talking about the holiday... but, I will now. Sometimes I wonder if one of the most difficult tasks I have on any given day is maintaining an attitude of thanks, and maybe even more frustrating, that I would struggle (OR NOT) to just be thankful.


(And I don't know if frustrating is the right word, because you would have to be intentionally trying to do something to evoke frustration... though in this context, because I am thinking about thanks and my inability to be thankful, and am reflecting on the importance of thanks, and what it must look like to the outside world – that despite all that I have been given – I am not grateful, and considering my responsibility and privilege as a child of God to grasp and appreciate the awesome gift of life that I have been given AND the One who gives it... and how I display or don't display that in appreciation and praise – whether anyone is looking or not – let alone what it says to a lost and dying world who has no hope and needs the very gift that I have that I (at least) seem to be so ungrateful for... that if I who have it, do not see it or the One who gives it, as worthy of my gratitude – why should they (even) want it, let alone sense a need for it, or Him... yes frustrating is the word I will use to (so grossly) understate the condition of my being ungrateful.)


Are there many things more sad than watching someone be given a gift or a privilege and having them respond in disdain or apathy? We have all watched as someone has completely dismissed an act or gift of kindness and standing back, we shake our heads, pondering the ingratitude demonstrated on such occasions, cringing at the rude display, we wonder “how can anyone be that ungrateful?!” while feeling empathy for the one who was so thoughtlessly disregarded. Even wanting to approach the offended and express thanks on the rude one's behalf, and then are tempted to turn and accost the offender and ask them “what in the world could you have been thinking?! Oh, yeah, you weren't!” And I guess that, that right there, is the rub, the reason the word frustrating is too kind (almost cowardly) a word to use for any thanklessness that I might be guilty of – because the matter is that I just don't (nearly) often enough, even think about being thankful.


Maybe, I am the only one who struggles so much with this... and writing this is just an exercise in confession, an attempt for accountability, that someone would hold my feet to the fire and remind me to reflect and appreciate... or an invitation to someone, anyone, to punch me in the head when I so carelessly disregard the kindnesses offered me daily... wounding the giver who so graciously gave... and with this glimpse into my world... maybe this becomes a gentle reminder for you who practice giving thanks, to remain thankful, consistently aware of the gift and the giver... to not only remember and not lose sight of all that you have and all that you are (most times that's the easiest and most natural part) but also to remember and offer thanks for the one who has been so kind, the giver, the one who takes joy in giving and relishes in how it is received by the one they love – the object of this kind affection... and to remain thankful – expressing it at every turn...


...and this brings us to God, the giver of life and love and mercy and grace and then to us, the thankful, displaying His faithfulness and the joy that lies within and offering back to Him in gratitude, thanksgiving – not just for the gifts, but for the giver. That this, your's – the thankful, is the testimony that is right and just and fair, that has the power to evoke...

...or maybe, you suffer from the same malady as me and this is a quick reminder that you and I have perhaps forgotten, even taken for granted the kindness of our God and His incredible provisions – for life, godliness and eternity with Him. We have taken for granted not only the gifts, but also, the gift giver. That the gift is the symbol of the kind, generous and loving heart of the one who gives... maybe this is just a gentle nudge to consider, to reflect, to remember, to express... to change...


no guilt, no coercion... just consideration, respect, appreciation... simply put, thanks

maybe that's why its called Thanks-Give-ing

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