Living with Thanksgiving

The first Thanksgiving, ever, was a 3-day feast celebrated in 1621, where 53 colonists and 90 Wampanoag joined together to celebrate the colony’s first successful harvest. Of course, their meals consisted of wild birds, venison, corn, lobster, and actual pumpkin (minus the pie) and there was no football or parade to watch nor Black Friday deals to get to. Can you imagine 3 days of feasting with 143 of your family members?

Today, Thanksgiving is a tradition. Celebrating family and friends with delicious food and traditions that make this time of year looked forward to by so many people. With the occasional burnt turkey, grumpy Aunt Florence, your football team losing, and the lady right in front of you taking the last Black Friday TV which was going for a whopping 50% off, it is so easy to forget what the holiday season is really about. We may sit around the table and pray or tell each other what we are thankful for, but do we actually live with thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving should be a way of life not a one-time celebration. Colossians 4:2 says, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” How often do we turn to God to ask for something? How often do we turn to God to just thank Him?

God does not bless us just once a year, but instead, floods us with blessings every day of our lives. We should live constantly with thanksgiving! 1 Corinthians 15:57 says, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jesus died on the cross for our sins and we should be constantly thankful for salvation! Because of God sacrificing His only Son, we are given the opportunity to live with Him for eternity! What is there to be more thankful for than that?

Thanksgiving is mentioned around 32 times in the Bible, depending on which version you read. Why should we live in thanksgiving? It can really transform your mind and your heart! In studies, it is proven that those who live with thankfulness are naturally happier people. So, why not turn this beautiful holiday into a way of life? Maybe not by stuffing your belly with turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie every day, but by living with thankfulness.

We wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Falling Creek is definitely thankful for YOU!