Of the major holidays we celebrate at the end of the year, Thanksgiving Day is given the least attention. Some of the other holidays during this period have developed into pure and simple self-gratification events; even Thanksgiving Day has done so to a point. Have we actually become so self-centered?

From Halloween through New Year’s Day, we have become a people who dote on our own pleasures. We honor hobgoblins, witches, wizards, turkeys, and Santa, but are weak in giving thanks and remembering the Son of God. It’s all about give me candy, stuff me with turkey and dressing, give me sports and load me down with presents.

The true celebration of Thanksgiving Day has been placed so far on the back burner it has almost been swallowed up and forgotten. Notice how early in the year the decorations are seen in the stores for Halloween and Christmas.

We most certainly are a nation of greedy, self-centered and commercialized people. Retailers and wholesalers just cannot get enough money, and shoppers do not use good sense. We are spoiled to the core, and demonstrate little appreciation for the things that really matter.

Yes, Thanksgiving Day is the day almost forgotten among the five special days at the latter part of the year. Even with what little attention remains for this special day, are we truly thankful for the many blessings God has provided us? I’m sure some people are, but as a whole, we are not. Even as this holiday flies by with so little fanfare, most are more concerned with the meal, parades and ballgames.

I often wonder how many Christian households will even ask God’s blessings upon the food (It’s called “grace” or “the blessing” for those unfamiliar with those terms by the way.) that the ladies have spent hours in preparing. These dear women start the day before and continue early Thanksgiving Day morning to provide a special meal for their families, which will be devoured within minutes. Afterwards, men with protruding bellies and loosened belts will waddle over to their easy chairs in preparation for the college bowl games, while the ladies, who must be worn out, clean up. (I realize this doesn’t fit every household. It is just a general picture, so don’t get excited.)

Most of us have so much to be thankful for. But many people, even in this great country, cannot identify with the scenario in the previous paragraph.

Should we feel guilty if we enjoy the food, parades, and/or ballgames? Now of course not, but they should not be the main attraction. I’m sure that many grateful people, Christians and non-Christians, will enjoy this special day next week with these pleasures, but still ponder on the numerous blessings they have. Christians especially, should definitely thank our Lord for all that He has provided.

Do enjoy the frills of Thanksgiving Day, but be thankful, and don’t be timid in expressing, that the God of the Bible loves us and has made the way possible, through His Son, to spend eternity with Him.

One’s family means so much. They are the closet to you on this earth, and sometimes they get the least positive attention. Appreciate them and show it.

At least for one day block out the negatives of life and look for the blessings even if you have to look hard. Even if you do not know God, He has blessed us all with air to breathe, water to drink, a heart that beats, and a mind that can know Him.

Yes, there are many things we can be thankful for, if we just stop long enough and think about it. So let us not skip over this day, but give it its due, and not allow it to just be forgotten among all the pandemonium at this time of year.

Grant Phillips

One of the songs I wrote for my better half, four years ago this past May, is called, “It’s The Little Things”. The words are as follows:

It’s the little things
We remember from the past.
It’s the little things
That make our love last.

It’s the little things
That put a smile on our face.
It’s the little things,
Those things we can’t replace.

It’s the little things
That put a tear in our eye.
It’s the little things
We remember bye and bye. 

It’s the little things
That warm our dear ole heart.
It’s the little things
We remember when apart.

Memories are usually made without thought. Normally, we do not consciously go through life trying to make memories, as you would manufacture parts in a factory. “Okay, I made 214 memories today. What’s my total for the week so far?” But what could it hurt, if we made ourselves more aware, that what we do now is a memory tomorrow. That could definitely help.

I think memories are basically three types; small (seemingly unimportant, just the little things), medium (worth remembering), and large (major happening). Your wedding day could certainly classify as “large”, and perhaps the doctor visit could be “medium”, as long as it was uneventful. You would be surprised at what we could call “small” or seemingly unimportant … just little things.
Very often in life, it is the little things that mean so much. More often than not, when I reminisce, it’s the little things I think about, not necessarily the big events. I suspect you are the same. In the present, we make our memories for the future when we think about the past. We should live every minute with that thought in mind, because we can either make memories that bring a tear of joy to the eye or a tear of sadness. Further more, and perhaps even more important, we are also making memories for others who are associated with us, like our spouse, our children, and others.

When thinking back to when I was a child, it’s usually the little things that come to mind, whether my thoughts are on family or school for example. Strangely enough, they always outweigh the so-called “important” events. Thankfully, they are happy memories that bring a tear of joy to the eye, so to speak. I realize I am fortunate, because many may not have pleasant memories of the little things in the past.
When I think about my children growing up, little things come to mind. My, my they just grew up too fast.

I recall the wonderful years that I have been blessed to spend with my dear wife, and again, all those moments of “the little things” burst forth. Again, I sympathize with others who may not have this pleasure.

What kind of memories are you making for your spouse? Can they sit alone in the quiet stillness of the night and recall with a smile little things you have experienced together? Can they be so touched by the little things you have done for them or said to them, that a tear of joy comes to their eyes? What have you done to provide sweet memories for the one you love, the one person who you should be the closest to on this earth?

What about your children? The greatest gift you can give them isn’t a cell phone, or a computer, or a car. The greatest gift you can give them is yourself, specifically your time. How about an honest compliment? Maybe laughter would be nice too.

Have you ever thought about others, such as your parents or grandparents? We grow up and get on the merry-go-round of a fast-paced world, and often forget those that love us without condition. When was the last time we visited them? Was it quality time? Little things mean a lot to them also.
An example of a little thing in my life that caused me to not drive fast as a teenager goes like this; I hitched a ride home from a birthday party with a friend of mine. Neither of us was old enough to drive, so his older brother picked us up and took us home. I don’t recall why, but his older brother talked about driving sensibly, and his driving backed up what he was saying. I never forgot that, and never got “stupid” while driving as a teenager.

Could it be that God is taking note? There is no question that we are living in a time when life speeds by like a bullet. That is all the more reason to slow down, and not get caught up in it.

One of the biggest detriments to our lives is our work, but which is more important, our work, or our family? Yes, I hear you. “We must work to eat. We work to provide for them. They should appreciate what I do for them.” That is all true, but it doesn’t change the fact that you are making memories now, for yourself and those you love, that cannot be changed later. “I’ll do it tomorrow” is usually too late, because “tomorrow” seldom comes.

Another major detriment, which may be the greatest, is selfishness, or self-centeredness. We have become very selfish in our modern world. Read the news, to consider one source, and you’ll see what I mean. If this isn’t the antithesis of what Jesus showed us by example, then nothing is. This attitude saturates the television screens in all our homes. It is on open display in the department stores. It thrives in the work place. It breeds in the heart. It is not of God.

The little things are important in our personal lives. They may not make the front page to some, but they bring a smile and a tear to those who are thinking about all those little things.

One recalls the encouraging words of a teacher. A young lady remembers, as a young girl when her Dad would actually get down in the floor with her and sip the make-believe tea she made just for him. A man smiles thinking about those times as a lad, when Mom would soothe the hurt from his cuts and bruises. A husband still smells the trees from a walk in the park with his best friend, his wife. A wife remembers so well the comfort from her best friend, her husband, as he comforted her when she was down. None of these are significant to anyone else, but to the one thinking about those little things, they are a priceless treasure.

As you are readily aware, examples of the little things we remember are ad infinitum. So how much enjoyment are we providing to others when they think about the little things in their past?

Grant Phillips
grantphillips@windstream.net

Pre-Rapture Commentary

http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com