A season of thankfulness

We often think of Thanksgiving as a day of abundance. We imagine the table full of delicacies, and other mouth watering and savory foods we can’t wait to consume. Then, after we fill our bellies to the brim, we make our way to the couch and melt in the cushions for a post-meal nap. Then after a few hours, we gear up for round two of eating!
But what about the other side of Thanksgiving? What if thanksgiving ought to remind us about the goodness of God. Not so much a God who gives us everything in abundance, but a God who gives us our daily bread. God gives us everything we need for the moment.
A story that is often overlooked occurred two years after the first Thanksgiving. The pilgrims faced a drought that threatened to destroy their crops, thus their livelihoods. The governor at the time, William Bradford, called for a time of fasting and prayer seeking divine help. The pilgrims and native allies came together and pleaded with God for heavenly provisions.
Shortly afterwards, it was reported that rainstorms fell over Plymouth and a celebration occurred amongst all the people. It was a great reminder of what happens when people come together seeking to bless one another. Perhaps this story also invites us to reflect on a deeper meaning of Thanksgiving.
Psalm 136 is considered a song of thanksgiving. It is a song of praise recognizing God’s great acts of mercy and provisions for the nations of Israel. The repeated phrase throughout the psalm says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.”
“His love endures forever” is proclaimed 26 times. It is a powerful reminder that our source of thanksgiving comes not from the materials of this earth or the treasures we might find within it. Rather, thanksgiving comes from our divine source of love that can only be experienced by looking to God. For when we learn to receive and experience God’s love, we will find our hopes for the things of this world will slowly fade. As the familiar hymn goes, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus and look full in his wonderful face. Then the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”
Especially in the midst of tragedies and life’s most fragile moments, it is difficult to find reason to be thankful. Whether it be a natural disaster, sickness or loss, the shadowside of life will always threaten to rob us of our joy. Yet, as I understand it, joy isn’t the absence of pain. Rather, joy is choosing to remember the goodness of God in the midst of going through the difficulties of life. Joy says, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
This thanksgiving, let us count our many blessings – both big and small – as a reminder of God’s goodness. And may we seek to be a blessing to others as well, extending the love of God to all who are in need of God’s comfort. For the gift of Thanksgiving teaches us that no one is beyond God’s grace and kindness. The gifts of God can be discovered in both big and small ways, and sometimes we might be that gift for another.
Rev. Jonathan F. Brewster serves at First Methodist Church in Monticello.