Thankful by Definition

Can you believe that the holiday season is upon us? What a year we’ve had! And as we approach the holidays I think it appropriate to pause and reflect. As we do I think one word would summarize my feelings – Thankful.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary tells us that the word thankful has 3 intents.

First, thankful means that we are conscious of benefit received. I think if we all just stop and think about it we can all be conscious of benefit received. With unemployment levels at historic proportion, I don’t know about you, but I am conscious of the many blessings in my life; I am conscious of the benefit of living in the greatest country known to man; and I am conscious of the benefit of the freedom to worship our great and glorious God. While I am at it, I am conscious of the benefit of a good church, family, friends and this Florida lifestyle.

Second, thankful means being expressive of thanks. So let me express my heartfelt thanks for all things; every breath, sight, smell, relationship (I guess you get the idea). 2 Corinthians 9:15 says; 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we just remained in a state of being thankful; expressing thanks in all things?

Third, thankful means being well-pleased and I have got to tell you I am well-pleased. I am extremely well-pleased when I reflect on all of life’s blessings. I am well-please when I think about all that Christ has done. There are so many negative influences in the world, but if we focus on what is really important in life shouldn’t we all be walking around in a state of being well-pleased. Not in a prideful, arrogant way, but in a humble and happy state of thankfulness. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 reminds us; 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

When you really stop and think about it, being thankful should be easy for each of us. So on Thanksgiving 2010, let’s end with a Thanksgiving Poem written by Ralph Waldo Emerson;

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.

Grace and Peace!