Thanksgiving 2009!

This Thursday we enter what is traditionally called the “holiday season.”  Likely our busy schedules will become even more busy, and our hurry up pace will likely become a dead run for the duration of the year.  But still, all in all, this is a most pleasant season of enjoyment.  The reunion with loved ones, the abundance of food and the expression of thanksgiving during the holiday season bring joy and happiness to the truly appreciative. How grateful we should be for the blessings God has given us.

May I suggest two things for your consideration this holiday season?  (1) Consider what you have, not what you lack.  Most of us enjoy material possessions far and above that of the average world. Be grateful for God’s provisions, and even more thankful for those little “extras” that make life enjoyable.  (2) Spend some time this week to meditate upon God’s goodness to you. Get off by yourself and say a little prayer to Him from Whom all blessings flow, and that in rich abundance. (3) Finally, realize that with increased blessings come increased responsibility.  Read Luke 16:19-27, Matthew 25 and Luke 12:45-48.  Then ask yourself if you are properly sharing what you have with those who have not.

 I’ll close with this thought provoking analysis of how blessed many of us truly are:

 If you own just one Bible, you are abundantly blessed. 1/3 of the world does not have access to even one.

 If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survive the week.

 If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 500 million people around the world.

 If you attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest or torture of death, you are more blessed that almost three billion people in the world.

 If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.

 If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the worlds wealthy.

 If your parents are still married and alive, you are very rare, even in the United States.

 If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

 If you can hold someone’s hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder, you are blessed because you can offer God’s healing touch.

 If you prayed yesterday and today, you are in the minority because you believe in God’s willingness to hear and answer prayer.

 If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read anything at all.

 Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

–by Tom Wacaster

 

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