Remembering to Give Thanks

Before Thanksgiving break, Mr. Bailey spoke to the students about remembering, an apt topic for the holiday and something we all could remember to do more often- remember to remember.

While that may sound ironic, it is true that humans are forgetful. We are prone to forgetting, whether it is where we left our car keys, what we had for dinner last night, the name that goes with that face… But the most crucial thing that we ought not forget is the Lord and what He has done for us. This is reiterated in the Old Testament over and over, where God tells the Israelites to remember. Why is this so important? Remembering serves us in several ways: it causes us to worship when we remember who God is and what He has done; it can lift us from times of deep despair when we remember our hope in Christ; it can draw out joy in times of darkness when we remember that we are not alone. Remembering the Gospel is key to our walking with the Lord.

And so, as Mr. Bailey briefly spoke to the children a lesson on remembering, he asked them to remember two things on this Thanksgiving. First, to remember to be thankful for what we have, and also remember to whom we should be thankful. Scripture says, “every good and perfect gift comes from the Father above.” Each and every one- the family and friends we may enjoy time with over the holidays, the flavors of the delicious food we will most likely consume, the nutrients from that food which will nourish our bodies- all of these were created by God. How awesome to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast to the glory of God by remembering that God thought up the flavor of turkey, of pumpkin, of potatoes, of stuffing, of casseroles! For His glory, for us to remember and praise Him for it all.

I hope sincerely that you enjoy this special holiday in which the majority of people are pausing to remember and give thanks for many things. I also hope that we would all remember to remember past this week, into the coming months, the God of our salvation and all He does and has done.