Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body."

Today is the day that is officially set aside in America to pause and to give thanks. Every school kid in America grows up with the tale of the Pilgrims and the Indians and that first Thanksgiving feast wherein the Native-American reached out to the suffering, starving newcomers to this land’s shores in mercy and friendship providing both fellowship and sustenance.

The Pilgrim’s used that opportunity to thank not only their native benefactors but to thank the Almighty God who had led them to this land on a trek to find political freedom that would allow them to openly thank their God. Imagine that. Thanking God for the right to “Thank God”.

Much has changed over the years.

Thanksgiving has become the holiday most associated with a celebration of gluttony, heavy on the gravy and light on the “Thanks” part.  Be honest, have you spent more time thinking about your list of "Thanks" or the grocery list?  Did you get the Pecan Pie? 

Food is the focus, followed by sports, napping and elastic waist bands which of course only serve to allow for more food.

Over-indulgence and conspicuous consumption have replaced the humble thanks offered by the starving Pilgrims to their generous hosts and a Gracious God.

Of late, Thanksgiving has begun to slip into something of an endangered species category as well, save for America’s love for stuffing….stuffing ourselves.

Each year Thanksgiving seems to get pushed a little more aside.  The turkey is succumbing to greed.  This year the stores had simultaneous displays of Halloween Hob-Goblins alongside of Christmas Trees on the shelves as early as October 29 with nary a sign of Thanksgiving’s trimmings to be seen.

The rush for retail has all but trounced the humble turkey in the fervor to barrel headlong into a frenzied Christmas shopping season leaving the focus ever less on pausing for a moment of Thanks on Thursday than to reap a buck on Black Friday.

However, if for a moment you are gripped by nostalgia for a more simple celebration, if the tryptophan hasn’t yet taken you under its spell, contemplate doing something radical this Thanksgiving…pause. Turn your gaze to heaven and go humbly before the Lord to give Thanks.  You’ll be amazed at how much you have to thank Him for in your life.

Add a commentary below and share your Thanks world wide with our readers.

If you need some inspiration, please go to the source, and borrow from these scripture verses from the Holy Word of God.

Have a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!

Psalm 106:1 - "Praise ye the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever."

1 Thessalonians 5:18 - "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Psalms 50:14 - "Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most high"

Psalms 92:1 - "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High"

Colossians 3:17 - "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."

Psalms 140:1 - "Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence."

Psalm 97:12 – “Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!”

Psalm 100:4 – “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!”

Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Psalm 30: 12 – “that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.”

2 Corinthians 9:11 – “You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”

Ephesians 5:3-4 – “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.”

Colossians 2:6-7 – “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Colossians 3:15 – “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

Colossians 4:2 – “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

1 Timothy 2:1 – “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone”

1 Timothy 4:4-5 – “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.”

Hebrews 12:28-29 – “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire."

Matthew 26: 26 – “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body."