Thanksgiving week, Part III

Oh, how we are blessed!
It's our custom to bow our heads in public places and silently give thanks for the food that has been placed before us. We've had wait staff that tell us when we bowed our heads, it was the first time they'd ever seen that happen in their restaurant.
How sad.
Millions never pause to give a word of thanks to God for the food provided. Even many Christians neglect this, either from hurry or embarrassment.
Even at Thanksgiving, only a minority will pause and give thanks to God.

Shifting gears . . . .
Many people now have more than they've ever had, but because they don't have everything they want, they cultivate a terrible condition of thanklessness. How can we, as believers, avoid this?
Paul tells us very directly:

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (I Thessalonians 5:18)

No exceptions noted. No matter what is going on in our life, we are to thank Him.
That's a daunting assignment, sometimes. How does this happen?

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. (II Corinthians 4:15)

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (II Corinthians 9:11)

As people receive the grace of God in salvation, it leads to abundant thanksgiving. And we not only have salvation, but in that second verse, Paul says we will be blessed "in every way" so that thanksgiving is an unending activity!
Sometimes we humans rely too much on our feelings.
We don't feel happy.
We don't feel joyful.
We don't want to praise.
Whoa, pardner!
In the words of the old song, let's "Count our blessings!"
I'm assuming if you are reading here, that you have accepted God's gift of salvation. You have been redeemed by Christ's sacrifice on the cross, and with His resurrection you are now heirs with Him - eternal life is in your future!!
And the now?
He has promised His peace; He has enabled our contentment; He has gifted us with His mercy.

Surely when our mouths open, what ought to come out is thanksgiving!

Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. (Ephesians 5:4)

Sometimes it helps to actually write down our blessings. It will lift our spirits and cause us to be grateful!
Enjoy reading the words of this old hymn, and think on them with gratitude to our Father:

For the beauty of the earth,
for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

2. For the beauty of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale, and tree and flower,
sun and moon, and stars of light;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

3. For the joy of ear and eye,
for the heart and mind's delight,
for the mystic harmony,
linking sense to sound and sight;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

4. For the joy of human love,
brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth and friends above,
for all gentle thoughts and mild;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

5. For thy church, that evermore
lifteth holy hands above,
offering up on every shore
her pure sacrifice of love;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

6. For thyself, best Gift Divine,
to the world so freely given,
for that great, great love of thine,
peace on earth, and joy in heaven:
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

The old tune is familiar, but this rendition is lovely, too . . .