Wednesday, November 22, 2000
Wednesday, November 22, 2000 |
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Giving thanks... By REV JOHN HATCHER Giving thanks constitutes exercise. There's no way thanksgiving comes passively. It takes effort. For a "thanksgiving" transaction to take place, two agents are required: one to deliver the thanks and one to receive the thanks. Sometimes I cringe when I hear people so, "well, I'm just thankful." Thankful to whom, I want to ask. So, as we turn over tomorrow to Thanksgiving 2000, let's make every attempt to get our thanksgiving right and directed. After the whole family sits down for the turkey, dressing, and pumpkin pie, it would entirely appropriate to take the Family Bible and read Psalm 100, emphasizing verse five, "For the Lord is good: his lovingkindness is everlasting, and his faithfulness to all generations." Since the Lord has been so good to you and your family over the year, tell him how grateful you are. Let everybody around the table tell God why each one is thankful. The turkey and dressing will stay warm. Tell him and thank him. Any descent father that I know loves to hear his children express gratitude to him. Remember, a transaction has to take place: not "we are so thankful" but, "Lord, we thank you... But there are others with whom we should transact some thanksgiving. Like, your parents. My wife, Mary Ann, and I continue to enjoy her parents, both reaching the big 80 mark. I've been around to celebrate about 26 of those birthdays and I know John and Mary Ann and Anna are truly grateful to Howard and Christine Blackburn. They have always been there for us. I shall give them my thanksgiving as we gather Thursday night for a Kentucky Thanksgiving with oyster souffle, funky Kentucky ham, and my mother-in-love's delicious fruit pies. Indeed, a Norman Rockwell night. So, teens and adults, take a moment to give thanks deliberately, intentionally, directlyfacing them, holding their hand, looking into their eyes. It may not be a Kodak moment, but it will be a moment remembered by both. I shall never forget my daughter standing up at our church's Thanksgiving Dinner to say, "Because of my Dad, I feel like the luckiest kid alive." Wow! Parents, what's keeping you from taking a few minutes and square off with you children to say some words of loving gratitude. Your kids may have a stroke, but do it anyway. I truly believe that if we parents would thank more, we just might have to rebuke less. Of course, we men need to express heartfelt appreciation to our wives. How about, "Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all" (Proverbs 31:29). That's how I feel about my Mary Ann and I will tell her just that. But let me close by expressing my gratitude to The Citizen's publisher, Cal Beverly. Thank you, Cal, for giving me the weekly opportunity to speak to a wider congregation than just my church. You bless me by giving me this privilege. Also, thank you for being a pro-church advocate, for giving the church lots of space without having to pay for every column inch. I just wish the AJC would learn from your example. On behalf of all the church community, I thank you for caring for us and putting it in black and white and sometimes color.
Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community Church in Fayetteville.
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