This month, we set aside a day of Thanksgiving. For many people it will be a day devoted to the Three Fs – family, food, and football.

I’d like to suggest, though, that at some point that day we hit the pause button at least a few minutes and consider the following question: What difference will it make if I’m a thankful person? Let me offer some suggestions: 1. If I’m a thankful person, I won’t be as quick to criticize others. The thankful person won’t choose to hold grudges easily. The thankful person will be more willing to overlook offenses. The thankful person will look for the good in all people, realizing that we are all created by God, deserving of love and respect.

2. If I’m a thankful person, I won’t be as quick to lose hope. A familiar old hymn has these lines: When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done….. The thankful person will acknowledge and hang on to the fact that God knows our every need, he is able to provide, and he cares deeply for us. When I remember these things, I won’t be so quick to lose hope.

3. If I am a thankful person, I won’t be as quick to complain about circumstances that arise. Matthew Henry, a respected Bible commentator, kept a daily journal. One evening as he made his way back home in the city where he lived, he was robbed. As he made his journal entry later that night, he wrote these words: I was robbed today, but let me be thankful. First, because I was never robbed before; second, because although the man took my wallet, he did not take my life; third, because although he took all I had, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed, and not I who robbed.

Besides those suggestions, let me offer a poem which calls us to a more positive perspective on life’s challenges:

Forgive Me When I Whine

Today upon a bus, I saw a lovely maid with golden hair; I envied her — she seemed filled with joy, and how, I wished I were so fair; When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle; she had one foot and used a crutch,
but as she passed, displayed a smile. Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have two feet — the world is mine.

And when I stopped to buy some sweets, the lad who served me had such charm; he seemed to radiate good cheer, his manner was so kind and warm; I said, “It’s nice to deal with you, such courtesy I seldom find”; he turned and said, “Oh, thank you sir.” And then I saw that he was blind. Oh, God, forgive me when I whine, I have two eyes, the world is mine.

Then, when walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes of blue; he stood and watched the others play, it seemed he knew not what to do; I stopped a moment, then I said, “Why don’t you join the others, dear?” He looked ahead without a word, and then I knew he could not hear. Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have two ears, the world is
mine.

With feet to take me where I’d go; with eyes to see the sunsets glow, with ears to hear what I would know. I am blessed indeed. The world is mine; oh, God, forgive me when I whine.

Are you prone to complain about problems or circumstances you don’t enjoy. It might help to remember: we live in a fallen world, a world being restored by God, but not yet perfect. There will be adverse circumstances which come.

But, in the midst of such circumstances, we can choose to be thankful people trusting God to provide even in times of great adversity, and not just one day each year, but all the time.

Rev. Randy Crane is the pastor at Waldensian Presbyterian Church in Monett. He may be reached at cranes5@hotmail.com.