Always Giving Thanks

History declares that the first Thanksgiving was held by the pilgrims in the 17th century.  At that time, it wasn't considered or even called Thanksgiving, it was just a harvest celebration shared with the Wampanoag Indian tribe.  In 1623, the Pilgrims did hold what they called "Thanksgiving" - a religious day of prayer and fasting.  Over the years, the two events became linked, and it was celebrated as a Thanksgiving feast.  George Washington originally declared that Thanksgiving be observed on the last Thursday of November in 1789.  However, it wasn't until 1863 that Abraham Lincoln actually declared it a national holiday.

This is how I've always thought of Thanksgiving; a day to be thankful for all that we have.  But then I saw this sign, "Thanksgiving is not a holiday; it's a lifestyle."  I've never really thought of it this way.  I mean...yes, I know we are to be thankful, and I do thank God each day.  But maybe we do need to remember to make sure that we're thanking Him in every little thing - no matter how we feel - we are to thank God.  God tells us "In every thing give thanks..." (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Sarah Young, author of "Jesus Calling", writes "You give God thanks regardless of your feelings, and He gives you joy regardless of your circumstances".  In other words, whether we feel like thanking God or not, we need to do it.  Then when hard times hit, we'll have God's joy.  "Thankfulness opens your heart to God's presence and your mind to His thoughts".

So, during this Thanksgiving season and all through the year, I challenge you, as well as myself, to thank God even when we're not "feeling" it.

"Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything..."
                        Ephesians 5:20