WHAT SHOULD I BE THANKFUL FOR THIS YEAR? by David Foucar

For most of us here in the United States, we enter November looking forward to the celebration of Thanksgiving. After all, who can resist the opportunity to enjoy the three Fs: food, family, and football? I love them all. We might disagree on some of the specifics, marshmallows or brown sugar on our yams, chunky cranberry sauce, or jellied pumpkin pie or apple. Maybe you get together with a big family or a small group of friends. It’s possible, it’s hard for me to imagine but, you may prefer watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade instead of football. Whatever the preferences, most of us look forward to the celebration.

The roots of the Thanksgiving celebration begin even before the birth of our nation. Pilgrims celebrated what we consider the “First Thanksgiving” in October 1621. Later, we began officially celebrating as a nation with George Washington’s proclamation of 1789 and the tradition has continued, even though intermittently during some of our history, with the permanent observation set as the fourth Thursday in November established by an act of Congress in 1942.

While we tend to think of Thanksgiving as an American holiday, its intended purpose was not to display national pride. Yes, I am thankful to live in the United States. Yes, I believe every American should be thankful for the freedoms they have. But, from its beginning, Thanksgiving was intended to recognize the source of all that we have to be thankful for, God Almighty Himself. George Washington’s proclamation recommended that we be devoted to “the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.” Abraham Lincoln indicated that God’s bounties “are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come.” Woodrow Wilson said it is our custom “to turn in praise and thanksgiving to Almighty God for his manifold mercies and blessings to us.”

Of course, it is not only our national forefathers who remind us to be thankful but, more importantly, the scripture instructs us to give thanks. James reminds us that “Every good and perfect gift is from above…” (James 1:17 NIV) and Paul instructs us “give thanks in all circumstances” and he continues “…for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV) We are to give thanks for every good thing we have because it is from God and we are to be thankful in every circumstance, whatever we have, and wherever we are. That, I have to say, is pretty all-encompassing. Even more than that, Paul tells us that being thankful is God’s will for us. A pretty big deal.

Now, we have to admit, for most of us, the last year or two have had their challenges. Between a pandemic and political upheaval, the world around us seems to be going crazy. Add to that, many of us likely suffered personal losses and difficulties. So, what do we have to be thankful for exactly? Well, the answer is, a lot of things really. I don’t have time to delve into all of them and, besides, many of the things you may be thankful for are individual, only you know what they are. What I can talk about briefly are two things we can all be thankful for. Two things that encompass all circumstances and all situations.

First, no matter what the circumstances, I can be grateful. I can give thanks that I am alive. I can give thanks that I have physical life. That I am breathing and that every breath is a gift from God. You see, God “…himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.” (Acts 17:25 NIV) And “In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” (Job 12:10 NIV) Life itself is a gift, and it is a gift from God. Even on the most difficult day, it is a privilege to face each problem and every challenge because God has given us life and breath.

The second of these two great things to be thankful for builds on the first because we can’t receive one without the other. Without the physical life that God has graciously given us, it would not be possible for us to receive eternal life. Yes, in addition to our physical life, we can and should always be thankful for eternal life, our salvation. “When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” (Titus 3:3 NIV) Amazing, right? I’ll admit, in the business of life, I sometimes lose sight of the one thing to be grateful for that stands above all the rest: God’s gift of eternal life bought by Jesus on my behalf.

So, this year, as we celebrate Thanksgiving, may I suggest we make it about more than food, family, and football (or watching parades if that’s your preference). Maybe you can, and I hope you do, make a long list on Thanksgiving of the things you have to give thanks to God for. My family, my job, my church, are just a few for me. As you list all that you should be thankful for, don’t forget the biggest: your physical life and God’s gift to you of eternal life.

David Foucar

Dave Foucar has spent his career as a financial professional, but his heart has always been in ministry. He has spent decades in lay leadership teaching Sunday School, Bible Studies, and Small Groups for all ages. He has been a lead speaker and seminar leader at Couples Retreats, Men’s Retreats, and Family and Youth Camps. Dave has been married for thirty-five years to the love of his life, Debbie. They have three beautiful daughters. Dave’s first book, “What Do I Say When Asked About Jesus?” is a conversational approach to helping people answer questions about Jesus. Christians want to share their faith, or at least they should, but it is not always an easy task.

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