Uglyhead

Like what my friend said in a recent post, it is odd how stressful we make a holiday that is about celebrating faith, family and freedom. We did not travel this year, but instead the family came to us. Having help with the baby is wonderful, but at the same time I confess that I am burned out by the bustle of activity. Already I sense in my own heart a grumbling and complaining, rather than a gratitude that is independent of my circumstances. I am in need of being reoriented. What is it that we are doing today?

Thanks is not given to the god of chance or to an impersonal deity. Nor is it a time to pat ourselves on the back for our accomplishments in life—glossing over our many failures. Rather, like the Pilgrims (who had far more reason to complain), we praise the personal God who is in control, who by his providence has allowed all of this for our good (Rom. 8:28). The following quote from John Piper’s book, A Godward Life: Savoring the Supremacy of God in All of Life, expresses the kind of gratitude that ought to be manifested in our hearts.

Remembering our dependence on past mercies kindles gratitude. Gratitude is past-oriented dependence; faith is future-oriented dependence. Both forms of dependence are humble, self-forgetting and God-exalting. If we do not believe that we are deeply dependent on God for all we have or hope to have, then the very spring of gratitude and faith runs dry.

I hope and pray that your Thanksgiving Day is full of godly gratitude for past mercies and provisions as you and your families pause to thank Him for them. And may your turkey be moist and your cup never empty!