Go ahead, make my…

“Giving thanks”, or more appropriately “Thanksgiving” goes back a long time in the history of the human race, so I thought I would share a little bit of it with you on this particular day. Protestant, Catholic, and hundreds, if not thousands, of actions from human intent to the God who created us, go back for thousands and thousands of years throughout our history, so much so, that it sometimes completely overwhelms us all as to its true meaning and destination!

Although despair seems overwhelming at times, it’s those tiny moments during the day that help keep our thoughts in order and our courage in check. Personally, yours truly is thankful for those people who surround me, both family, friends, and those others yet to come into the circle! And while I think of it, I have family and friend connections scattered all over this planet, to say nothing of the continuing friendships that go back literally decades upon decades. Yours truly is a very “happy camper” indeed!

I can also reveal that I’ve reached a grand old age where I value the food on my table, the roof over my head, warmth in these cold months and especially caring for family, my three accomplished sons and their beautiful and no less-accomplished wives. I’ve received the blessing of prayer from the many people around me who share the same conviction, and how can I NOT be beyond thankful for that?!

Thanksgiving and its true meaning…

Then there’s this from Menagerie, Conservative Treehouse: On giving thanks to the Creator…

“As thou takest thy seat at table, pray. As thou liftest the loaf, offer thanks to the Giver. When thou sustainest thy bodily weakness with wine, remember Him Who supplies thee with this gift, to make thy heart glad and to comfort thy infirmity. Has thy need for taking food passed away? Let not the thought of thy Benefactor pass away too.

As thou art putting on thy tunic, thank the Giver of it. As thou wrappest thy cloak about thee, feel yet greater love to God, Who alike in summer and in winter has given us coverings convenient for us, at once to preserve our life, and to cover what is unseemly. Is the day done? Give thanks to Him Who has given us the sun for our daily work, and has provided for us a fire to light up the night and to serve the rest of the needs of life…”

On Eating: “When you sit down to eat, pray. When you eat bread, do so thanking Him for being so generous to you. If you drink wine, be mindful of Him who has given it to you for your pleasure and as a relief in sickness. When you dress, thank Him for His kindness in providing you with clothes. When you look at the sky and the beauty of the stars, throw yourself at God’s feet and adore Him who in His wisdom has arranged things in this way. Similarly, when the sun goes down and when it rises, when you are asleep or awake, give thanks to God, who created and arranged all things for your benefit, to have you know, love and praise their Creator.”

On Worldly Troubles: “Troubles are usually the brooms and shovels that smooth the road to a good man’s fortune; and many a man curses the rain that falls upon his head, and knows not that it brings abundance to drive away hunger.” [end]

Thanksgiving and its true meaning

This particular Thanksgiving Day may God give you an Irish blessing rendition: “For every storm, a rainbow; For every tear, a smile; For every care, a promise, And a blessing in each trial; For every problem life sends, A faithful friend to share; For every sigh, a sweet song; And an answer to each prayer”.

To add a little more to Thanksgiving and its true meaning message…

For a diamond to sparkle it takes grinding. Enduring the grinding is painful but rest assured, the hands of the Master fails not, and you will sparkle for all to see. Give thanks that the Master has chosen YOU to sparkle and demonstrate His handiworks.

And as Sundance always says: Live your best life! Prayers and wishes to all for a peaceful, gracious, and lovely day.

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• Menagerie, Conservative Treehouse: Thanksgiving Prayers from Saint Basil
• A great story about Thanksgiving from Dan O’Donald’s weekly “Forgotten History” Series
• Also The Federalist Editors and: The Beginning of Wisdom an Ancient Song of Thanksgiving