Giving thanks always

The following Bible verse pretty much sums up the holiday we are about to celebrate —Thanksgiving Day. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (New International Version)  says. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

As long as I can remember, Thanksgiving Day, has been a very special day for me. Let me count the ways this season has been elevated in my mind and heart. My father, who was born Oct. 10, 1907 so our family always had reason to celebrate that day. Dad said it was almost always a nice day on his birthday and he was right with the odd exception. His birthday was always around Thanksgiving and that was nice too as sometimes we would have a day off school for his birthday. Dad was a school bus driver so on school holidays, he got a holiday too except for all the work on the farm. And, most Thanksgivings, Dad’s brother and sister-in-law, our much loved Uncle Jim and Aunt Vi would travel from Winnipeg to the farm at Holland, Manitoba for Thanksgiving, often staying overnight.

That time of year usually meant that the rugged days of harvest were coming to a close and work on winter preparation projects saw increased activities. And of course, there were large Thanksgiving dinners. Mum was a pretty good cook. I say all this to set the scene that Thanksgiving was pretty much a good deal around our farm home.

Oct. 11 is our wedding anniversary. Christine and I have been married 56 years. For all those years and all our family and business experiences, I am thankful. Christine’s return to good health has been the number one blessing for this year!

But giving thanks in the manner outlined in the Bible verse above isn’t always as easy as my early childhood years experienced. There are many times of drought, war, death and destruction that try a persons ability or even willingness to give thanks. But, even in tough times it’s important to give thanks, to offer thanks to God, to family, to our friends and neighbours and to our country for sustaining us through the tough times.

The hymn, “Count your blessings” says it better than I can. It was composed by Johnson Oatman Jr in 1897.

1. 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 hath done.   

Count your blessings, name them one by one;

Count your blessings, see what God hath done;

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,

And you will be singing as the days go by.

3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold.

Count your many blessings, money cannot buy

Your reward in heaven, nor your Lord on high.

4. So amid the conflict, whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged, God is over all;

Count your many blessings, angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

So whether you are living in an abundance of blessings or if times are really tough, hopefully, the words I placed from the Bible or my little bit of experience and the song’s words will float you higher today.

May God bless you and yours.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are the writer’s personal views and are not to be taken as being the view of the newspaper staff.