Thanksgiving and Praise

        I would guess that we, believers in this age and location are a thankful people.  That is, we are thankful to God for the blessings that He has bestowed upon us.  As a nation, we have a special day which is called "Thanksgiving."  The moment we say it, certain pictures pop up in our heads and aromas remind us of grandma's kitchen.  Even the condensation on the window panes reminds us of the sometimes cold weather outside, but the warmth inside the homes as ovens are on full tilt to provide the annual Thanksgiving dinner.  I have many memories from this time of the year as many of us do.  I think of Mom and Dad and Uncle Bunny and Aunt Hattie as we would gather around the table.  It was family time.  Believers have an attitude of thanksgiving that goes beyond the family picture.  It includes much.  Psalm 100:1-5 says, " A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.  Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.   Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.  For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."  The fourth verse begins with "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and unto His courts with praise..."    
       This is where we change our direction for just a moment.  Obviously, we have been blessed as a nation and as families and as individuals.  It hasn't all gone smoothly as one might have hoped for.  Some have died and there will be a person missing from the table this year.  Or there may have been sickness that was planned for that interrupted our plans.  Sometimes divorce enters into the picture and again, people are absent from the table. So, even amidst all of the pains of life, there still is a spirit of Thankfulness that fills the air.  We don't dwell on the empty chairs at the table, but look forward to the chairs at the marriage supper of the Lamb in heaven.  What a banquet that is going to be!  There are still enormous opportunities for praise and thanksgiving in the Savior who died, was buried and rose again from the dead.  There is still thanksgiving for the daily provision of the needs that we have that could only have come from God Himself.  There is Thanksgiving for a peace that goes well beyond understanding even in this land of plenty.  "Thank you LORD for saving my soul, Thanks you LORD for making me whole."  Praise and give thanks to the God of the Universe for all that He has done for us.