“I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.” ~ Psalm 69:30

That is just one of many scripture passages that remind us to praise God in all times and places.  Today is Thanksgiving Day in the United States so our hearts and minds naturally turn to our annual Thanksgiving holiday celebrations. The gathering of family, whether close or from afar, around a roast turkey, dressing, potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, sweet potato bake, dinner rolls, and, of course, pie. Oh, the pie. Your favorite? I love them all!

This holiday, while it can be filled with wonderful memories, may also be a challenge when this occasion is the first without the presence of a recently departed dear family member or friend. Yes, we miss those who were such a treasured part of who we are today, yet we can still praise God with thanksgiving for that important role they played in our lives. The Thanksgiving holiday was implemented to thank God for the harvest, but I think there is so much more for which to be thankful than just the fruit of the land. How about thanksgiving for freedom of faith and thought? How about thanking God for our wonderful parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters? Thank him for our education, jobs, careers – even retirement. Thanks be to God for our loving and caring spouse, children, grandchildren, and our extended family. Certainly thanks is in order for our health, in spite of whateve challenges may be ours. I bid you, continue this train of thought and continue to count your many blessings. We have so much to be thankful to our mighty, all powerful, all loving and caring God. And, how can we not Include thanksgiving for the awesome gift of salvation in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. Amen?!

Perhaps this traditional Thanksgiving hymn written in 1897 by Johnson Oatman, Jr. may be helpful for all of us as we gather around the table of plenty today: (sing it if you will)

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

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.

Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God 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, ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by. [Refrain]

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 home on high. [Refrain]

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. [Refrain]

May you have a blessed day of Thanksgiving today, and everyday forward. God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.