Who are you talking to?

     This week, millions are celebrating Thanksgiving.  There is even a concerted effort to be upset with businesses that are open on Thanksgiving Day.  The reason given is that workers should spend Thanksgiving with their families.  I've even heard people say, "because that is what Thanksgiving is all about."
     Like many other celebration days, Thanksgiving is losing its true emphasis as our culture is pushed to eliminate any Christian meaning from it.  The word "holiday" comes from "Holy Day" and were days set aside for remembrance of God in our busy lives.
     I am thankful for my family.  It is one of the most important things in my life.  We have always spent Thanksgiving gathering as a large family with food and reuniting with relatives and everything.  It is wonderful. But, that is not the purpose of the day.  I have seen on facebook that people are spending the month listing things that they are thankful for each day.  I think that is a great idea, however, once again, the things we are thankful for is a secondary focus.
     When we say "Thank You," we usually don't say it to an empty room.  It is a phrase that is meant to be said TO someone.  When someone says, "I am thankful," I wonder to whom are they thankful.  I have heard people who publicly denounce a belief in any higher power say that they are thankful.  Who is receiving this gratitude?  I guess they are really saying,  "I am glad."  "I am glad I have a family, I am glad I have a home, I am glad I have a wonderful spouse."  If that is what they are saying that is fine, but please say that.
     Being thankful means you realize that someone has done something for you and that you appreciate what has been done.  When I say I am thankful, I am saying that I believe that the God of the universe has seen fit to bless me with a great family, a home and a wonderful spouse." I am saying "Thank you" to God.  There have been times that I have said "Thank you" to God for a struggle I went through with Him because I came out changed on the other side of it.  When the pilgrims established a day of Thanksgiving, they were thanking God for bringing them to a new world an for keeping them from starvation and death.  They knew who was in control of their lives because they had trusted their lives to Him.
     On this week of Thanksgiving, lets emphasize that we are not just glad, but actually give thanks TO God and give thanks FOR his blessings.  It is a true Holy Day of remembrance that we owe him everything and want to acknowledge that we understand that he has given us this life.
Happy Thanksgiving Day,