Thank: to express gratitude or appreciation to somebody; to be pleased about something; to be grateful.
Full: filled to capacity; holding as much or as many as possible; having a large amount of number of something; being at the highest degree or largest extent possible; with nothing or nobody left out or missing; satisfied.
As we begin this new month and start turning our thoughts toward the next holiday, let’s spend a little time considering the true meaning behind being thankful. When I opened the dictionary, I wasn’t too surprised by what I discovered about the word “thank.” After all, who doesn’t know what it means to thank someone, right?
But what stunned me most was the definition of “full.” Look at it one more time. When you think about what you’d like to give thanks for this season, do you really feel “filled to capacity” by those thoughts? Are you so overwhelmed by appreciation that you sense it to “the highest degree possible – with nothing left out or missing?”
Like so many across the United States, you may not be feeling full of thanks right now. After all, the past several years have been financially and emotionally grueling for most of us. But, can we be more thankful? Perhaps an even better question would be should we feel “full of thanks” and even “satisfied” despite all that’s going on around us?
As children of God, I think we can have more of an attitude of gratitude, especially if we believe what Scripture says about thankfulness:
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe . . .”
Hebrews 12:28
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
Colossians 2:6-7
Notice neither of these sections of the Bible say, “except when times are bad” or “unless a President is elected that you don’t like” or “only when things are going exactly the way you planned.” Instead, we are encouraged to be THANK-FULL simply because God is in our lives now-and for all eternity! Those who trust in Him are merely asked to be grateful and fullof thanks no matter what might be going on in the world around us.
I think after all that God has done for me, I can do that! How about you? Can you be grateful “at the highest degree possible” in the days, weeks, and months ahead? Can you focus on what the God is doing for you so that you might actually begin to feel more “filled to capacity” and maybe even “overflowing with thankfulness?”
Why not start by writing a short list of what you are thankful for right now. Add something to that list tomorrow, and the next day, and then the day after that! By the time Thanksgiving finally arrives, you will have a long list of items to share with family and friends-and I’d encourage you to be sure to do that!
Many blessings to each of you during this Season of Thanks from all of us at Sonkist Ministries!
Thought of the Month
“You know the LORD is God! He created us, and we belong to him; we are his people, the sheep in his pasture. Be thankful and praise the LORD as you enter His temple. The LORD is good! His faithfulness will last forever.”
Psalm 100:3
