“O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good and His mercy endureth forever.” Psalm 107:1
I remember this Psalm as the prayer our family would join in after we had eaten a meal. Very often we would offer a prayer before we ate that is commonly used as a Table Prayer, “Come, Lord Jesus, be our Guest, and let these gifts to us be blessed. Amen.” I must admit that I nearly always begin with a prayer of thanks before I eat, but rarely do I remember to give thanks after I have finished a meal. How like our human nature. We are ready to ask God for blessings, and yet, after we have received those blessings we forget to give thanks for them. I’m like those 9 lepers recorded in Scripture who went away and forgot to give thanks after Jesus had healed them.
Thanksgiving Day is a wonderful time to remember to praise God for the gifts He has given as the National remembrance always comes at the end of a Church calendar year. We should not only be grateful for the gifts we anticipate receiving in the year to come, but moreso for the gifts we have already been given over the past year. This Thanksgiving I’d like to change my poor habit of omitting a closing prayer after a meal and return to the pattern I was taught by my parents when I was young. Maybe you will choose to do the same and this year, after the turkey and stuffing has been eaten and you’ve had your second helping of pumpkin pie, before you go to watch the game, remember to say the prayer above or another prayer of thanksgiving for what you have received.
Thanksgiving is not just for one day of the year, it is for each and every day as we take the time to reflect on the goodness of God and give Him proper thanks and praise. You know, giving thanks makes one even more thankful! It feels good to praise God and remember His gifts and to know that He blesses a heart of gratitude.
Today I thank the Lord especially for my wonderful Pilgrim family and I pray His rich blessings upon you this day and always! Happy Thanksgiving!
Know that you are loved!
Peace and Joy,
Pastor Kilian