Across the Pastor’s Desk by Monrad Mandsager

Thanksgiving is more than a holiday on the fourth Thursday of November. Thanksgiving ought to be an important and central ingredient of our lives each and every day. It is to recognize that all good gifts come ultimately from God and to give thanks for every blessing. It is well that we give God thanks at the beginning of each new day for the gift of life, for God’s protection, strength, help and inspiration. Believing and knowing there is a God who cares about us leads to thanksgiving.

It is well for us to bow our heads at mealtime and pray a prayer such as, “Thank you Lord for this food, for life and health and every good thing, or any such words of recognition and thankfulness for God’s blessings. At the end of the day, as we lie down to rest and sleep, we should thank God for his protection and His blessings through the day. I’ve had a number of close calls from childhood to age 80 that make me recognize I have been protected and blessed with life and God’s goodness, for yet another day in this journey. Thank you, God.”

“Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all his benefits . . . Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases . . . Who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.”

— Psalm 103:1-3

There comes a day when our youth slips away and we become aged when bones and muscles creak and when diseases come our way. What do we do then? Continue to pray psalms of thanksgiving, thanking God for His mercy, steadfast love and faithfulness to us. When it’s our time to die to consider all God’s blessings and depart in faith, leaning upon God’s mercy, grace, forgiveness and promises that are ours in Christ Jesus, our Savior. God in peace and give God thanks. Be at peace, holding the hand of Jesus and those we love. It is like taking a journey home. The Lord is with me: I fear then no evil. “Deliver us from evil, O God.”

Thanksgiving and Thanksliving: Let us live our lives thus thanking God and blessing the lives of others. There are millions who are on the brink of starvation. Let us do our part to help deliver them from the evil of hunger and starvation.

God and Jesus call us to care, to have compassion, to share generously, so that all may be blessed with food, with wellbeing and daily bread. Perhaps these acts of kindness can help all recipients believe in Jesus, the compassionate one, and the bread of life, life in God now and life with God and Jesus for all eternity. Jesus said, “ Let not your hearts be troubled (or fearful) you believe in God, believe also in me, in my father’s house there are many rooms; I go to prepare a place for you.” That place is being prepared in our hearts and lives now. Help us, O God, to follow through in faith, compassion and self-giving love. Forgive us where we fall short in our tendency to selfishness.

All around us there are many aged, many who are hurting, many grieving, many lonely, many who are physically and spiritually hungry. We can reach out to help them and bless them with kindness, compassion, goodness and love, and physical food. Or, we can share in offerings to that end or course by supporting organizations that reach out.

It’s the Thanksgiving of our lives toward God and the thanksgiving of our lives toward others. May God so help us to be a blessing to others in this troubled world and forgive us where we fall short. Make us a blessing to those who are hungry. thirsty, lonely, grieving, hurting. Help us, O God, as your people, to be a blessing and help to others. Help us be grateful and thankful, and sharing of God’s blessings. Blessed Thanksgiving to all.

 

Monrad Mandsager is a retired chaplain.