TomNicholas.org

Do we really need a special day in order to remember to give thanks to the Lord? No, of course not! His mercies are ever in front of us! And our worship spills out of our lips and hands; are expressed in our song and in our service.

And yet, God knows how short is our memory. Look to the Psalms where David flip-flopped between Praise and Despondency, practically every other page! How often is that also our experience? On Sabbath we are high on God’s grace and from worshiping in His community. And then by Tuesday we are crying out in parallel to David’s imprecatory Psalms, “Oh God, Where are You? Why have You abandoned me? Oh how my enemies press about me, seeking to devour me. Surely I will perish if You don’t intervene on my behalf. O God, I seek your judgment to give me justice!”

So, yeah, maybe we really do need special reminders! Reminders like, “Remember the Sabbath day…;” like, “Remember to give thanks…with tofurkey and cranberry sauce…” (Tom’sPsalm 109:4)

This week I was listening to K-Love and there was a survey to see what people liked to put around their turkey. The answers went something like this: Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Cranberry Chutney (not sure what a ‘chutney’ is), Green Bean Casserole, Candied Yams, etc. And, while all of those, and I do mean ALL of those are amazing things to spread around your table on Thanksgiving! My mind turns to something better: Family and Good Friends. I honestly don’t care what is on my table. We could spread butter on stale bread as long as Family and Good Friends are what is around my table.

This year, I am missing some of the good people whom I normally see around my table. And I am missing them terribly. They are still in my heart. However, we have New Friends and Old Family to take their place at our hearth.

This is the better

And, as we gather, wherever we gather, let us embrace the Best: “O Give Thanks to the Lord, For His Mercies Endure Forever!”

How has God revealed His mercies to you this past year?