With thanksgiving... "O Lord that lends me life, Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness." ~William Shakespeare
When we think of Thanksgiving, many of us picture big family meal that comes around once every November. The practice has its roots in that first “Thanksgiving” shared by pilgrims to this country. But consider this: the pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. Yet In spite of all their challenges, they set aside a day of thanksgiving. How could the pilgrims offer such an outpouring of gratitude and thanksgiving considering such devastating circumstances? Simple. They understood a thankful heart as an act of worship to God who was their life and salvation.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name. For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100:4-5
Thanksgiving is the heart of our worship. The scriptures are full of thanksgiving to God for his saving deeds, and his steadfast love. And God Himself recognizes true worship as a grateful heart: “Those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honor me.” (Psalm 50:23) As Christians we celebrate the Eucharist each week as a “sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving” expressing our gratitude for our redemption through our Lord Jesus Christ.
"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others." ~Cicero
For centuries societies recognized a grateful heart as a prized character trait. This was true for beggars and kings alike (and everyone in-between). Today, we live in a culture that emphasizes entitlement rather than gratitude. Our consumer driven society seems focused on getting what we need or don't have rather than the gifts we have been given. We might ask if our overabundance gets in the way of being thankful. Are we so blest that we take our blessings for granted and forget to give thanks? To live a life of gratitude and thanksgiving today is to live counter-culturally.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
What are we thankful for, and how do we claim or reclaim ground lost when it comes to living a thankful life? How do we give and show thanks in practical ways that honor God? The first step as the apostle Paul says above to the church in Thessalonica is to give thanks in all things. Begin by making it a practice to give thanks to God in your prayers. Before laying out the “asking” list, speak out the “thanking” list. Make a list of thanksgivings and post it on your refrigerator. Add to it…daily or weekly. Give thanks where thanks are due...even for small things: to your family and friends, the clerk at the store, the person who waits on you at the restaurant, and most especially to our good and faithful God “whose steadfast love never ceases.”
Blessings, Matthew+ Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. BCP p. 236 | 
