Happy Thanksgiving! Think about those words. Are we happily giving thanks? To whom are we directing our thanks? Answering these questions should bring us to a point of a truly happy time of thanksgiving. In considering the first question, if we are not happily giving thanks, then are we not being hypocritical. Thankfulness comes out of a happy heart, a heart delighted with the gifts that have been given; when we moan about our lot in life we cannot be thankful. So much of our being able to grasp the blessings in our lives (whether difficult or pleasant) comes from understanding the source of everything about our lives. Of course, God is the only source. He uses many means of giving us what we have, but He is the fountain from which it all flows. Our every breath and heartbeat depends on His care of us, as well as everything else visible and invisible.
When days are tough we may wonder about God’s blessings in our lives. This week our son who lives in war torn Ukraine wrote a beautiful poem addressing this very issue.
Lord, how will I give thanks today?
When I bow my head, what will I say?
There is no peace at home this year
Rockets and missiles have brought chaos and fear
Homes in pieces, people fled
Young men fight, many dead
Bombs explode, shake the walls
Families crowd in dark halls
Curfew at night, sirens in the day
Oh, dear Lord what will I say?
In a time of war and violence
Must I celebrate thanksgiving in silence?
Can I be grateful in pain and grief?
Is there any sort of relief?
“Listen now!” The Lord said to me.
“Pay attention and I will show you the key
No war, no despot can ever overcome
The good that I did when I sent you my Son!
A man of suffering, and familiar with pain
He went to the cross for your gain
His sacrifice brings healing and peace
Hope and joy that will never cease.
And now look at what I’m doing even in war
Have you ever seen the church serving more?
In the midst of this terrible cancer
People are now looking for an answer!
Against the black canvas of war
My love shines even more.
Through the hands of the church as they care for the broken
Through the lips of the faithful as love is spoken
Through the feet of the brave as they rescue from danger
Through the hearts of the gentle as they help a stranger.”
Thank you Lord for making this clear
Truly your goodness is always near.
Heal me from my spiritual blindness
Help me to always see your grace and kindness.
When war and evil threaten my living
May I turn to you with praise and thanksgiving
A Prayer for Thanksgiving in War- by Caleb Suko