Genuine Thanksgiving - Because I Have Been Given Much

I've already written a few Thanksgiving posts this weekend, and I was basically going to just post a Thanksgiving picture and call it a day today, but then I read my cousin Tammi's post and thought it was so perfect and I just needed to share it with you all.



Because I have been given much, I too must give.
Because of Thy great bounty, Lord, each day I live.
I shall divide my gifts from Thee
With ev'ry brother that I see
Who has the need of help from me.

Because I have been sheltered, fed, by Thy good care,
I cannot see another's lack and I not share
My glowing fire, my loaf of bread,
My roof's safe shelter overhead,
That he too may be comforted.

Because love has been lavished so upon me, Lord,
A wealth I know that was not meant for me to hoard,
I shall give love to those in need ~
Shall show that love by word and deed;
Thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed.

~ Grace Noll Crowell

That last verse always gets me.

Sometimes I think we content ourselves with simply SAYING thanks. We seem to believe that meeting the minimum requirements of the command to "in everything give thanks" is doing our full Christian duty. But these lyrics indicate ~ and I think Scripture bears this out ~ that if we're really truly grateful for the good things in our lives, most importantly our eternal security and satisfaction guaranteed by the redeeming blood of Christ that spares us from God's just wrath, there will be a genuine out-pouring of love for others manifest in our words and acts of kindness. That we will seek to be a blessing to others in the same ways God has blessed us.

On this Thanksgiving Day, let's remember that thanksgiving isn't just between us and God ~ it should affect (and INfect!) those around us, too. Not just in our words on this specific day, but LIVED OUT in our everyday lives throughout the next 364 as well.



Post stolen from Tammi at Laughing at the Future

Thanksgiving Prayer

A Thanksgiving Prayer

Almighty God,
Father of all mercies,
we, your unworthy servants, give you humble thanks
for all your goodness and loving-kindness
to us and to all whom you have made.
We bless you
for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable love
in the redemption of the world
by our Lord Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray,
give us such an awareness of your mercies,
that with truly thankful hearts
we may show forth your praise,
not only with our lips, but in our lives,
by giving up ourselves to your service,
and by walking before you
in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory throughout all ages.
Amen.

Book of Common Prayer/Book of Divine Worship

Canadian Thanksgiving History

Here's a little history lesson on the origins of Canadian Thanksgiving....

The first Thanksgiving celebration was held in Newfoundland in 1578 by an explorer named Martin Frobisher who celebrated his safe arrival to the New World.

It was declared an official holiday in 1879 and took place on various different dates throughout the years until, in 1957 the Canadian Parliament announced that on the second Monday in October Thanksgiving would be "a day of general thanksgiving to almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed."

One of the reasons Canadian Thanksgiving is held earlier than American Thanksgiving is because we are located geographical north, which means our harvest season begins earlier than their does, and because our celebrated the blessing of the harvest instead of the arrival of the pilgrims.

Read more: Canadian Thanksgiving