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As I begin to prepare for our Thanksgiving celebration, I usually find a book on my shelf called, Thanksgiving, “A Time to Remember,” by Barbara Rainey. As she says on the book jacket, “A holiday for celebrating faith, family and freedom, Thanksgiving Day is both distinctly Christian and exclusively American.” The 1789 Congressional Proclamation says, “There shall be ‘a day of public Thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God….’ “

An article by Nikki Carion reports there are many healthy benefits of a thankful attitude. As it turns out researchers are actually finding that people who have a grateful attitude enjoy better emotional and physical wellness. Grateful people may not enjoy a better life than others, but seeing the blessings they receive every day, help them perceive their life in a more positive way. The health benefits are a very positive beginning, but there is a more important question, “To whom are we thankful?” The benefactor from whom our blessings come is clear as we read the Bible.

Deuteronomy 16:17

Everyone [must appear] with a gift suited to his means, according to the blessing the LORD your God has given you.

Psalm 24:5

He will receive blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

Proverbs 10:22

The LORD’s blessing enriches, and struggle adds nothing to it.

Ephesians 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, in Christ.

A familiar hymn written in the 1600s and still sung today expresses this idea in its simplest way, “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.” When we are thankful to God, it is for these blessings which all come from him. An attitude of gratitude calls for us to be thankful and to acknowledge the source of our blessings. Instead of attributing good fortune to “Luck”: He’s a lucky guy! Good Luck tomorrow, etc. Let’s remember to express our faith in our attitude. You could say instead: “God bless you tomorrow”; “She’s received many blessings.” When we seek to express gratitude, we remember Philippians 2:5 (NIV), “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”

Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Leave the rest to God.

Blessings to you all.