The Elephant at Thanksgiving
“Thanksgiving” is something almost everyone has experienced, can relate to or hope for. In that way, it is a neutral word in our culture in the United States. It is usually connected to the abundance of goods, circumstances, health, and friendships. We set aside the fourth Thursday of November to be thankful. In my life thanksgiving is readily offered when circumstances are going ‘my way!’ I am thankful for a healthy husband of 55 years, for great kids and grandkids close by, for a 99-year-old mom, for food security, healthcare and especially a purpose within community.
However, there is an elephant in this room of thanksgiving.
That is: What about the horrific circumstances that can and do happen: sudden death of a loved one, cancer that is terminal, back pain or migraines that are acute and chronic, political unrest, drugs and alcohol, food insecurity, depression and loneliness, so many others. What about thanksgiving then?
In the Jewish and Christian religion and culture, thanksgiving isn’t rooted in circumstances. It is always associated with God. The Psalms speak praise. . . I will enter his gates with thanksgiving . . . I will give thanks to you forever . . . I will magnify him with thanksgiving. These verses do not have qualifiers; it doesn’t say ‘enter his gates with thanksgiving IF everything is going your way.’ Christianity narrows the focus of thanksgiving and gives guidance for practicing thanksgiving in difficult times.
Some of the thanksgiving verses that have helped me the most when I’ve experienced tough times include:
Philippians 4:4-9 especially verse 6: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Verses 8-9 then become my mantra: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
1 Thess 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesusfor you.
I have uttered this verse in tears, without feeling thanks at all—as an experiment in obedience—and felt the presence of the Holy Spirit remove a burden in my life.
I am deeply grateful for that experience, for that memory of God’s faithfulness to a very new believer!
I am most thankful for the faithfulness of Jesus to his people. He is a trustworthy God who loves his people and has promised more than life here. There is more to come! It will be the good he intended from the beginning, and we can be thankful for that. In the meantime, I am thankful for connecting deeply with God through his word and his people at Kitsap House.
I hope you’ll join me for our annual Feast of Abundance on Sunday, November 16th .Invite a friend for whom you are thankful. Let them know you are counting them as a great gift in your life! Let us know what dish you can bring. We will let our own abundance overflow in gifts for those seeking refuge in our community. If you’re able to bring a gift to share, all those offerings will be given to World Relief Western
Washington.
Gratefully,
Judy Kuehn
