Thanksgiving Reflections

*Thanksgiving Reflections was written in honor of Canadian Thanksgiving, which is about a month earlier than American Thanksgiving.

I’m sure most of us remember History Class back in grade school, where we learned about the Pilgrim’s coming over on the Mayflower and landing at Plymouth. The gist of the story is that they had a great feast with the Indians in gratitude for making it to the new land alive. Whether that history is exactly correct or not, it certainly is a heart-warming story, isn’t it?

Today as I went for my morning walk, I began to think about that story and really wonder what it was like way back then. I imagine it was a very hard time and many of the pilgrims celebrating the first Thanksgiving had lost much.

More than likely they had lost loved ones on the boat over.

More than likely they had sacrificed much in hopes of a better life.

Most of us in North America cannot even begin to imagine what life was like back then. Yes, we have hard times and we lose loved ones, but the poverty that was felt in our past history isn’t real for most of us.

As I reflected, I began to think about those in third world countries and recognize that I know that they go through hunger and intense poverty, but I don’t really understand, do I? I’ve never been truly hungry for more than a few hours in my entire life. Even when I’ve fasted, I’ve done that because I felt compelled to do so.

I had a choice. I didn’t go hungry because that was the only choice I had.

As I reflected and began to thank God for my many blessings, I recognized that many of us are chasing all the wrong things.

Why is it that we have so much but are often not truly grateful? What is that society influences us to chase more things?

Why is that society influences us to chase more things?

I’m guilty of it at times, as are you.

That’s not God’s plan. He didn’t prosper North America, so we could turn from him and seek stuff more than him.

Matthew 6:33 (KJV) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

If we are seeking the Kingdom of God, we aren’t chasing more stuff.

We aren’t seeking a better life, we are truly seeking him.

If only I could really get that into my heart. If you could only get that into your heart.

Seek God first- period.

So, today, I’m thankful for Jesus’ death and resurrection more than anything.

Yes, I’ve been blessed with a lot.

I have a home to live in that is really quite nice.

I have two vehicles sitting in my driveway.

My family all have their own beds to sleep in.

We have more clothes than we need.

We have fun toys to play with and entertain us.

But most of all, we have Jesus Christ living in our hearts. We have the promise of eternity with our Father God and that’s what truly matters.

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