As the title might imply, I don’t want to give another
Thanksgiving message that rings hollow. So that being said, lets remember that
it is a day that we give thanks, but we must remember to live a life that is
thankful.
For me, it has been a process. Growing up in middle class Cleveland and
working in retail quite a bit, the ideas of material lust and gluttony are
always prevalent. I have learned ways to
get around these traps so that I would find peace and contentment instead of
hunger and unrest.
Here are a few things that I have learned in life to have a
life of thanksgiving, rather than just a day of thanksgiving.
Celebrate the things that I have, don’t focus on what I
don’t have. This was a big lesson for
me. I listened to people for years tell
me that I needed a new car (one that was more “me”), new phone, a wife,
etc. It was fairly annoying, and at
times it made me second guess what I had in my life. The thing is that if I did get one of those,
my life might not be any better… in fact, it could be worse. So instead, I am celebrating not having debts
or drama that follows those things and being patient when the right things come
along.
Be happy for the Jones’, but don’t try to keep up with them. Comparisons are dangerous. I am Jason.
Not someone else. Being a twin, I
was constantly being compared by my peers growing up, which just created
discontent. I learned quickly that I
will not keep up with the Joneses because this is a race with no end in sight
or purpose, other than trying to look good. I get my identity from God, not
what my neighbors think. So instead,
when someone is blessed with something, I smile and am happy for them.
Delete the words “I deserve” from my vocabulary. What I am not saying is that we should think
that we should be depraved and don’t deserve anything, but instead we should
not treat God like he is a cosmic ATM or create a mentality that our needs and
desires take precedence to everyone else.
Another dangerous thought on this line is that when we think “I deserve
that”, it frequently leads to sin and selfishness. So again, this means not living a life of
demanding, but a life of gratitude.
Focus on the time that I do have with people, not the distance
between. This is an easy one to do. Again, here is an example of me trying to
focus on what is there… not what is absent.
The truth is, with people there is a lot more “absence” in life and if
we try to fill it, then we will go nuts or become clingy/possessive/controlling
to those close to us. Neither of which
are good =) This is why I do my best to appreciate every moment with those I care about, and look forward to the next time I see them... whenever that will be.
Be still and know that he is God (Psalm 46:10), and God is a
good father (Matthew 7:11). Just like a
good parent, God won’t give us EVERYTHING that we want. Honestly, would you give your kids everything that they want... I remember what I wanted as a kid, and I am glad that my parents didn't cave for my every whim!
He knows what we want and what we need, he
will give us what we need even if we don’t realize that is what we need. Sure, I didn’t want to be unemployed… but
there were valuable lessons that I learned during that time.
I didn’t like being underpaid once I got a job, but I learned how to
budget… which is what I needed. Those
trials that I needed have helped me become who I am today, and I am thankful
for that. I am sure that better things
are yet to come, but until then, I do my best to be thankful knowing that I have a God in heaven who knows best... not me!
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