Thankful for Thanksgiving . . .

 

READ 1 Thessalonians 1–5, 2 Thessalonians 1–3

Yesterday, three generations in one house, differences in ideas, ambitions and preference but obvious unity in making that day special. No arguments, everyone pitching in regarding the meal and other activities, and a great deal of laughter and joy along with sharing life’s stories. As I read the Scriptures for today, the sense of Paul’s desire to share life with his readers was strengthened by the way our family shared life with one another on Thanksgiving Day. They are also very dear to us.

So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. (1 Thessalonians 2:8)

Sharing ourselves is often expressed in the words said, words that tell others how important they are to us and to others. The following verses are examples of how to build others up by talking about them instead of talking about me:

For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy. (2:19–20)

Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another. (4:9)

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. (5:23–24)

We repeatedly thanked our son and his wife who hosted our gathering with such warm grace and obvious love for each guest, from the four-year-old up to my hubby and I, their parents and his great grandparents. My thoughts of them today are much like Paul’s words to the Thessalonians:

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith . . . . (2 Thessalonians 1:3–4)

We are also thankful to God for His choice to bring them to salvation “through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth . . . .that they may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2:13–14) and rejoice knowing that “the Lord is faithful. He will establish them and guard them against the evil one. . . .” and “have confidence in the Lord . . .” that they are doing and will do what He asks of them. (3:3–4)

This delight in family is one thing, yet what do these readings say to me? How am I to apply them? Paul told his NT readers that he and his coworkers “were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you.” As the oldest and as the parents, grandparents, and great grandparents in the group, we could have claimed the right to sit on the sofa while everyone else was working in the kitchen, but that is not what God says. Not only are we to set an example for others to imitate, we know that God wants everyone to pitch in, not be idle. He says:

For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. (3:7–12)

Participation, like bringing some of the meal, helping to cook and serve it, assisting in the clean-up and enjoying what the other guests have to say is part of what it means to show the love of God to others. Yet it is more than that. I don’t know who said it or when, but I keep hearing the words, “There is a special feeling in this place.” That is what the Spirit of the Lord brings when His people give of themselves by giving up self-seeking and are totally tuned into those around them. God enabled all, even those who don’t believe yet, to do that, and that topped the list of everything for which I am thankful.