By David Coy
Sunrise
We have been conditioned to think of this time of year as the season to be thankful. As a result of this many people who are walking their journey with grief, dread this month because they do not feel like celebrating. If we were taught properly to be thankful every day this upcoming holiday would not be dreaded as it is too so many people who are carrying heaviness of heart. It is worth noting that if a person does not wish to gather for the holiday they are free to make other plans or no plans at all. The value and importance of gratitude/thankfulness is an important topic to explore. In ancient times the Israelites would give offerings of thanksgiving for all their blessings from Jehovah. Additionally, they were to rest their fields on the seventh year (in addition to Saturday, the Sabbath (7th) day, the seventh month, and Jubilee) as a way of showing gratitude. Since the first century and the Christian dispensation giving of thanks has continued importance but on a different path. Instruction was given to always give thanks for everything and in every circumstance, (Ephesians 5:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Is there anything we can learn from this? While there will be times we do not feel like expressing thankfulness publicly (grieving), just as there are times we may not feel like getting out of bed or going to work or school, we know it is beneficial in the long term. This is hopefully what we teach our children and grandchildren by precept and practice. A thankful heart is healthy, happy, and wise even during times of sorrow. Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessing and see what God has done…(Deuteronomy 8:18; James. 1:17). We are richly blessed and whether you feel like publicly celebrating or not, I hope privately you will express gratitude in prayer for you, others, our nation, and our world.
This is Sunrise Aftercare.
