Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Oct/88

Contributor - Harri Zegerius

Title - Thanks Be to God

Topic - Thanksgiving

It is with a grateful heart that I sit here gathering my thoughts. It is a lovely, cool morning. The French doors are open and I hear the purple finches twittering at the feeder. Thank the Lord that the sweltering heat spell has been broken. For more than a month temperatures ranged between 32' and 38'C with nights at 300+. Without "air" it was rough going but we survived. And hardships will often make us the more thankful.

Several times recently we had pre-Thanksgiving festivities. Sudden tropical outbursts of rain broke the total drought that had been plaguing us so long. It was a joy to see flower beds reviving, and to see the corn and soya beans that had been standing half withered, with flag at half mast, suddenly green again and shooting upward with amazing vitality. Many people had been praying for rain, and now even the farmers could smile again.

It is obvious that there are times when the hearts of people overflow with gratitude to God. Remember the jubilation when Holland was freed from the terror and hunger of WW 11? How full the churches were. Remember when someone in the family was dangerously ill and God gave healing beyond expectation? Remember when unemployment struck and hunger and uncertainty crept ever closer, and then suddenly a job was provided? It is not difficult to say "Thank you Father" then.

Oh, we know that our gratitude cannot always remain at that high pitch, but among Christian people can there not be a continuing open hearted sense of gratitude to God? Can there not be a sense of humility that acknowledges that in the daily affairs of life we need the fatherly hand of Almighty God and the life confirming assurances of Christ? Does not the awareness of God in our life, His guidance and protective love, give us a measure of daily courage and continuing contentment? Those qualities smooth out the changing circumstances of life. As Paul wrote in Philippians 4, "I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content."

Of course on this day there is much for us to remember: the distance we have come these last 35 years; the blessed freedom and opportunity in this our new homeland; the love of our families and friends; the strengthening service and witness of the church. As we enumerate on and on, it could really bring tears to our eyes. The kind of tears that God understands.

Actually, Thanksgiving Day has deep roots in our traditions. From the Thank offerings of the Old Testament to the "Dankdag" that the Pilgrims experienced in Haarlem, before they took off on their great adventure, to the memories that Canadian settlers brought from England and many other lands, the roots are deep and they are alive.

Thank God that Thanksgiving day is not commercially exploited like some other Christian holidays are. Often the meaning of a Holy Day is obscured by commercial decorations. The precious gift in the manger is lost behind "you know who". But Thanksgiving is still open for thanksgiving.

You can thank God possibly with hymns in church. "Come Ye Thankful People come, raise the song of harvest home. . . " Or you can thank Him in prayer at a joyous family dinner. Or you can join the bumper to bumper crowd on the roads, who are enjoying one more beautiful Fall afternoon from the Lord's hand. Whatever, let it be Thanksgiving Day and let it be blest!

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