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Thanksgiving Every Day

Rick Brandenburg

On Sunday night, November 23 at the Thanksgiving feast, Bob Bitner talked about how wonderful it would be if we considered each day as a Thanksgiving. He talked about his own personal blessings of the past year and obvious “gifts” that others have received during the year.  There’s an old poem that has always stuck in my mind, and it goes something like this: Yesterday is the past, Tomorrow is the future, and Today is a gift; that’s why it’s called the present. Let us never forget, even in times of tough economies, political turmoil around the globe, and even when the politically correct time of year is the “holiday season” and not Christmas, that each day we walk with Christ is a blessing.

Last month I had the pleasure of getting my mom and dad to come down from Indiana for a couple of weeks. We celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary at the Angus Barn, and it was truly a night that was a blessing. Both of my parents felt good that night, my sister and her husband were in town, and we just enjoyed the moment.  I know that many of you have been in prayer for my dad as he has had some very serious health problems. The year 2007 was a long one, with a lot of time spent in the hospital and many last-minute flights for me to Indiana.  In 2008, my dad has yet to spend a day in the hospital. I realize that as I write this, all of that could change tomorrow, but this past year has been a blessing for him and for his family.  He has turned in riding around on his tractor on the farm for riding the electric cart at Wal-Mart, but he realizes that God is good.

Another blessing I observed this past Sunday night was the number of new faces and children at the Thanksgiving meal. I enjoy my friends at C4, but I am even more excited about the folks I don’t know.  C4 is looking more and more like a church that is reaching out, and I view that as very exciting, and I know that God is pleased with that.  The new faces eager to learn more about Christ and find a place to serve is one more reason to be thankful and view each and every day as a Thanksgiving.

I hope that you and your family have a wonderful Christmas season this year. In the midst of the commercialization, let us keep our focus on our Lord.  Don’t let the phrase  “He is the reason for the season” lose its significance.  Merry Christmas!