On Thanksgiving

Today is the nationally proclaimed Day of Thanksgiving in my home country. Today it feels strange not to be there. Perhaps it is because 35 years of accumulated tradition that tend to be absent here: the leaves changing color, the smell of cooking turkey, the Lions losing on national television. Perhaps it is because today is “just another day” for almost everybody here. Whatever the reason, I think it is good for me. Since, there are none of the traditional cues, I need to be intentional about being thankful. This is frustrating for me. Not because it will be difficult, but because I needed to be reminded, again, that every day is an occasion for thanksgiving to God. No day deserves the appellation “just another day.” Zeh hayom asah Adonai—negilah v’nismechah vo. This is the day that the Lord has made—let us rejoice and be glad in it. My attention was drawn yesterday to an article in the Wall Street Journal the day before touting a scientific finding that thankful people are healthier people. As Christians, we understand this is because God hard-wired us to respond to His goodness with thanksgiving. So today, despite—no, because of—the situation, I’m exercising my attitude of thankfulness, and I’ll start right now: I am thankful to God for His grace poured out through Jesus and for the supportive communities He has given us both at home here and at home in the States, which, if you are reading this, includes you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good! His love endures forever!