What makes Thanksgiving, thanksgiving? Is it circumstances? Or is it treasured relationships? I really believe it is the latter. There is no doubt that we should be thankful for things like health, peace, possessions. But those things are fleeting. I relished in the treasure of family and my relationship with my daughters and extended family. There were a number of times where I just sat there and took in just being together. We ate together, laughed together, recreated together, talked together, and entertained together. There were times when we separated during the four days (people do need a break from people every so often). There were times also where I am sure we got on each others nerves. People do that.
But the prevailing attitude is thanksgiving. Being thankful is a choice. I can choose to be thankful or I can choose to be not thankful. There are many hidden choices in attitudes of the heart. Consider the words of Paul - "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time because the days are evil... addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ". (Ephesians 5:15-16, 18-21)
The book of Acts recorded the attitude of the people when it says "And day by day attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people." (Acts 2:46-47)
Glad and generous hearts kind of sums it up. My heart is full (along with my belly).
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