Don't forget to give thanks!

It seems every year retail stores go straight from Halloween to Christmas with less and less of a nod to Thanksgiving. Let's be sure to remember, especially this year, to give thanks first before we receive.

Isn’t this what Jesus taught us? That gratitude comes before receiving? When he multiplied the loaves and fishes Matthew records, “…he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude” (Matthew 15:36). There are numerous places in the gospels where Jesus is recorded as giving thanks first before someone received something from him. Look them up over this weekend and read them for yourself. You may be surprised, too, to see this pattern throughout Jesus’ teachings.

Why give thanks first before receiving or giving? To answer a question with a question: Doesn’t it acknowledge the source of all good, -- God – and His care for us? Acknowledging God as the source of all good is the basis of gratitude. Understanding Him as giving all good, being all good, showing forth all good also reminds us that all the good we receive comes from Him, Good itself. It confirms that all the good we have received is not a result of our own human doings, thoughts, or efforts. Recognizing God as the source of all good spiritually confirms God as the source of all we have received. And, it enables us to receive more.

And what is it that we are receiving? Is it things like cars, houses, jobs? God gives us right ideas. Ideas such as the right understanding of health, joy, safety, freedom, peace. God gives us His assurance that He is caring for us, watching over us, leading us, guiding us. And He is doing this unerringly – even in the midst of such a turbulent year as 2020.

Thanksgiving may be mostly an American holiday, but many other countries celebrate Thanksgiving in their own way, on their own date, and for their own reasons. All showing that each country and every individual has a divine reason to pause and give thanks to the Almighty who acts upon His creation and bestows blessings.

A well-known hymn states it, “Gratitude is riches, complaint is poverty.”

Pause a moment and listen to this hymn.

The overwhelming issues that have faced each one of us through 2020 are not more powerful than God’s great guidance, love, and care for His creation. A country founded on the seeking of religious freedom cannot be shut down by world events which have led to less church-going and overshadowing of fear. No, that’s not us! And it’s not humanity!

Humanity is resilient. Strong. Able. Willing. We have always refused to shut God out of our life, thought, and prayers. In fact, we have sought God to great peril in our lives. And we have found Him. This is no time to close the door and cease knocking. This is no time to allow Thanksgiving to be deleted in our lives, our hearts, our souls.

Jesus teaches, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Luke 11:9).

This has certainly been a year of asking, seeking, and knocking. It’s also been a year of receiving, finding, and opening. The power of God’s right hand is upon us and nothing can stay His power and love.

Mrs. Eddy, the Founder of Christian Science writes:

“When angels visit us, we do not hear the rustle of wings, nor feel the feathery touch of the breast of a dove; but we know their presence by the love they create in our hearts. Oh, may you feel this touch, — it is not the clasping of hands, nor a loved person present; it is more than this: it is a spiritual idea that lights your path! The Psalmist saith: “He shall give His angels charge over thee.” God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies. Never ask for to-morrow: it is enough that divine Love is an ever-present help; and if you wait, never doubting, you will have all you need every moment. What a glorious inheritance is given to us through the understanding of omnipresent Love! More we cannot ask: more we do not want: more we cannot have. This sweet assurance is the “Peace, be still” to all human fears, to suffering of every sort” (Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 306:23).

Happy Thanksgiving. May your blessings be many!