Don’t Forget To Give Thanks

Contributed Article

There was a story told of a growing church. As a result of their growth, they had a parking problem. The neighbor had a vacant lot that the church tried to buy, but the neighbor did not want to sell the lot. He explained that he did not have the desire to be contrary or difficult, but he just didn’t want to sell the lot. However , he made a most gracious offer to the church. He said, “You are welcome to use it free of charge.” But there was one catch. The owner said, “You can use the lot 51 Sunday’s a year, but you must not use the lot on the 52nd Sunday. When asked why, he explained, “I want you to remember that you do not own it.” What wisdom! Every year they would be reminded of his grace and they would not take his generosity for granted.

”Bless the Lord O my soul and forget not all His benefits.” (Psalm 103:2) The Bible’s frequent call for God’s people to be thankful is surely aimed at helping us avoid the deadly disease of spiritual amnesia. God is the loving and benevolent Father who is the ceaseless source of “every good and perfect gift.” (James 1:17) Our God is kind, loving, and generous who gives and gives and gives and only asks in return that we be thankful. Emerson once said that if the stars only came out once a year, everyone would stay up all night to behold them. As it is, we have seen them so often that we don’t bother to look at them anymore. Gratitude can cure this problem. Gratitude will not only keep us from forgetting the good gifts we enjoy, it also keeps us from forgetting that it is God who owns and graciously gives them.