The Bible: Commentary and Controversy

My life has been blessed. Not perfect, but blessed. Maybe that describes yours, too. You may not yet be what you dreamed of someday being. You may have not yet accomplished all you hope to accomplish. Today is not the day to dwell on those things. Today is the day to celebrate.

“Count your blessings, Angus,” someone once said to my father, who thought for a minute, then counted “One, two.” Of course he was being funny (or thought he was.) How many do you have? It’s hard to know, because it’s hard to categorize all the things that have happened to you in your life. The good things are easy. But could the “bad” things somehow be blessings, too? They’ve helped in their way to make you who you are.

And today I say to you, “This is the day to take a moment and count yours. No, it’s not a competition. We won’t be comparing scores.

The first Thanksgiving. In 1623, Plymouth was in such a severe drought that (according to William Bradford) “they set apart a solemn day of humiliation, to seek the Lord by humble and fervent prayer, in this great distress.” That same evening it began “to rain with such sweet and gentle showers as gave them cause of rejoicing and blessing God, and caused them to set apart a day of thanksgiving.”

Here’s my message for today.

Like a car, your life has a forward, a reverse, and a neutral gear. Today’s the day we use them all. Put it in reverse for a minute, and be thankful for all the good things that have happened in your life to make you who and what and where you are today. Then stick it into forward for a bit and be thankful for all the things you still have time and will to accomplish.  Then slip it into neutral, and don’t think about anything but enjoying the day. You’re welcome.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!