So we had better go with that then!
Advent is a time of preparation. We are supposed to be thinking about the coming of Jesus, past present and future. And getting ready to celebrate both His birthday. and the fact that He has promised to come back. And I get the feeling that being thankful needs to be part of our preparations.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thess 5
There is so much for which we can be thankful - I dont need to tell you that you are blessed beyond measure to have a house and a job and a car and a family etc etc etc. And we all know that we take most of it for granted most of the time and we could do much better at being thankful. But what I have on my mind today is to be thankful for the people in our lives. Particularly those people in our past who have made significant contributions into our lives.
We all have families and probably don't thank them enough for the care they have offered us over the years. The wisdom and tough love, the financial input, the sacrifices and the time - all of those things which have helped to make us us. Our parents and grandparents and siblings aren't perfect, But they have shared our journey, and guided us into adulthood. Most of us have had at least one teacher in our past who has had a profoundly positive impact on our lives. Or a youth leader or a friend's parent...... significant adults who encouraged and inspired us as we grew up. And then there are the people who introduced us to Jesus. And those who have prayed for us and taught us over the years. There are life-changing books we have read. Songs we have heard. Sermons we have recorded to listen to again and again. So many people have left their fingerprints on our lives and gently helped to shape us, many of them without knowing the impact they were having. I'm very very thankful for those people. Aren't you?
And what about the people we take for granted every day but who help us immensely by the jobs they do for us? Our bin men. Our postie. The shopkeepers and street sweepers and swimming pool attendants. When do they ever get thanked? Do you know something - if you do bother to stop and say thank you to these people you get just as much of a blessing as they do! Try it sometime.
In My local Tesco cafe there's a lad called William. He must have worked there for a while and every time I go in ( which isn't that often) I'm always really impressed by him. There is something about him. Nothing is too much trouble. He notices things. He is always super friendly. He is just really really good at his job and every time he serves me coffee I wonder if his boss realises what a great asset William is . The other day I decided to tell him. I just said ' William I just want to tell you that you are really good at your job. You always have a smile on your face and its a pleasure being served by you'. He went a bit pink and said thank you and was clearly very chuffed indeed. And I went away feeling great - because it feels REALLY good to be positive and thank someone who isn't expecting it. And it is so easy to do.
The Americans have just celebrated Thanksgiving - and I'm not sure why, of all the many many things we have imported from the States we haven't adopted that yet. It seems to me to be a great idea. To get together with family and friends and count our blessings and vocalise our thankfulness for and to each other. But I suppose that really we don't need a designated day on which to be thankful - it should be a way of life for those of us who love God. So today why not decide to say thank you to a few people. Maybe to someone in your past who perhaps doesn't realise how special they are to you. Or someone who serves you or works hard on your behalf and who would be encouraged to know that they are appreciated. And see how good it feels to be thankful. It's why God wants us to give thanks in everything - because it is good for both us and the people we thank!! Double bonus.
Lord today I am thankful for all the blessings You have showered on me and all the people You have brought into my life to help and encourage and inspire me. Those who have appeared for a season and those who have been with me all the way. I pray you would bless them all today and let them know how special they are. And Lord I ask that today I would have the chance to say thank you to someone who really needs to hear it. Let me never take for granted those around me who make my life better just by being there. Thank you for my family and friends and church. It is good to be thankful - help me to grow in thankfulness because it takes my eyes off me and helps me to see the good in others. Which is a good way to prepare for Your coming. Amen
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