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Be Thankful

Tom Barnard

 have been reading recently from an older book written by Robert Lee Middleton, entitled Thinking about God. The author tells the story about Clarence Powell, Jr., a construction worker who lived in a Philadelphia suburb in the early 1950s. Times were tough, financially, and the Powell's had six kids to feed and clothe. It was in the fall of the year, and a new school term was about to begin. Three of the six children needed new shoes. To add to the family’s frustration, their washing machine suddenly quit.

Clarence answered an ad for a used washing machine. Arriving at the home, he was impressed with the quality of life the other family seemed to enjoy—including almost every modern appliance that could be bought then. The conversation turned to children, and Powell grumbled about the high cost of shoes and how quickly his children went through them. The mother in the home glanced at her husband and left the room. As the two men continued talking, the other husband observed that they had only one child, but that she had been crippled from birth and could not walk. Powell was overcome with the fact that while his six children could run and play, the other man’s only child could not even walk. When he arrived home that night, Powell thanked God “for the worn-out shoes in our house.”

As the Thanksgiving Season is upon us, may I ask a question? How thankful are you in these times of a sick economy? Do you complain about the “worn-out shoes” that need be replaced, or do you thank God for the gift of children in your home? Do you grumble about difficulties at work, or do you thank God for a place to work? Do you express concern over the high cost to upgrade a kitchen when hundreds of folk in your town are being forced to vacate their homes because of a poor sub-prime mortgage?

The Apostle Paul wrote these words to the Church at Thessalonica (1 Thess. 5:18):

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Paul was not alone in challenging his readers (and us) to be thankful people. Here are more references:

“I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:1).

“I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord,

according to all that the Lord has bestowed on us” (Isaiah 63:7).

“Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good:

for his mercy endureth forever. Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord?

Who can show forth all his praise?” (Psalm 106:1, 2).

“O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness,

and for his wonderful works to the children of men” (Psalm 107:15).

With celebration of Thanksgiving fast approaching, will your church sing the words of this classic hymn?

“Come, ye thankful people, come; Raise the song of harvest home.

All is safely gathered in, Ere the winter storms begin.

God, our Maker, doth provide for our wants to be supplied.

Come to God’s own temple, come; Raise the song of harvest home.”

Consider reading this prayer by George Herbert at your Thanksgiving table on November 27:

“Thou that has given so much to me, give one thing more—a grateful heart.

Not thankful when it pleaseth me, as if Thy blessings had spare days;

But such a heart, whose pulse may be—Thy praise. Amen.”

The youngsters in your home may poke fun at the weird wording of the prayer, but they will get the point. This Thanksgiving, perhaps more than at any time in the past thirty years, our families, our state, and our nation need to be thankful. Let it begin in you.