It has been said that when it comes to Thanksgiving Day activities, most people fall into either of two classes, those who take things “for granted” and those who receive/accept things “with gratitude.”
I have learned that the most important attitude that we can ever cultivate in our life is the “attitude of gratitude,” that is, being thankful in all circumstances. A grateful attitude enables our days to open up like a flower, full of beauty and sweet fragrance. And it fills our life with joy and pleasant surprises because we are enabled to more readily see God blessing us in many wonderful ways.
I remember the story of a boy in elementary school who arrived late to school and was reprimanded for it. Later, he discovered that he had forgotten his homework, and was scolded again. Then he began to feel sick and ran in from the playground to go home. And as he ran, he tripped and fell, breaking his arm. While he was on the ground, he found a quarter. After a visit to the doctor’s office and on his way home he told his parents, “This is the best day of my life! I have never found a quarter before.”
We should cultivate that kind of child-like gratefulness so that we can better see and thankfully acknowledge the good things that happen to us, even when life is more painful and disappointing than we had hoped.
Thanksgiving Day offers us a chance to re-exam our usual response in receiving God’s gifts of love and goodness. Do we take them “for granted” or receive them “with gratitude? Thanksgiving Day offers us the opportunity to name and count our blessings, both large and small, significant, and common, and thankfully worship God who is the source of every good and gracious gift.
We should remember that God owes us nothing. Everything we have and enjoy is His gift to us. And neither do we deserve anything from God, including our caring family and friends, a good meal, or a warm bed. In fact, we do not even deserve the fresh air we just inhaled or the continuing steady beat of our heart. For that reason, our attitude throughout every day should be fully saturated with grateful thanksgiving.
Furthermore, all research studies regarding physical and mental health conclude that people who count their blessings sleep better, are more active, and care more about others. People who are always counting their blessings show significant improvements in mental, physical, and spiritual health. And these results are true regardless of your age or life situation.
In the biblical story of the ten lepers whom Jesus healed, Jesus sharply criticizes the nine lepers who went on their way without so much as a thank-you. To the one leper who did return and say thank-you, Jesus says, “Your faith has made you well.” Jesus is congratulating him not so much for the faith that asked for healing, but for the faith that returned to give thanks.
This one leper wanted soul healing as well as physical healing and is not that also our desire as we thankfully name and count our blessings. After all, the biblical stories teach us that it is a “grateful” faith and not a “gimme” faith that saves us.
I am convinced that an attitude of gratitude is not only important for aging well but is also vital to our enjoyment of living well each day. The apostle Paul admonishes us to “Rejoice always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
And so, during tomorrow’s Thanksgiving Day, and every day of the year, let us join the Psalmist in reminding ourselves to “Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” (Psalm 103:2).
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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – November 22, 2023
Ray M. Geigley
Healing Rays of Righteousness 
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