A THANKSGIVING DAY THOUGHT

On this Thanksgiving Day in the United States, let me offer a thought (only one).

In the ministry of visiting the elderly (among others) that God has given to me in these days, there is a realization that has come to me.

Some of these older folks that I visit are in their 80’s, others in their 90’s and there are even two that are over 100. Most of them are still very sharp in their thinking, although at times some of them seem a bit confused (and who isn’t?). In visiting with them, I sometimes do most of the talking and they sit and listen. But sometimes it is I who does most of the sitting. I just listen to them talk about whatever is on their minds.

Do you know what they talk about more than any other thing? They do not usually talk about what they accomplished in life (or did not accomplish); they do not talk about dream houses that they had built for themselves or lands that they have acquired. All of these things hold very little significance for them.

What they talk about more than any other thing is people. They talk about their families; they talk about friends that they have known, students or teachers that they have had, besides many other people who in large and small ways had become part of their lives.

We know that houses and lands and riches will not last into eternity, but if we take the words of these octogenarians, these whatever-it-is-you-call-people-in-their-90’s, and these centenarians, all of these material things are not even important in this life. That which looms large in importance for these folks are the people that they have known and who have been part of their lives.

This Thanksgiving I give thanks for the people in my life. There are many. When I think of all the people who had a positive influence upon me in my childhood and growing-up years, all of the people with whom I have worked in many countries, and all of those who befriended me, it leads me into deep thanksgiving.

I know that many people that I have known in the past regularly read this blog, and if you are one who has befriended me in some corner of the world or here close to our home, I want you to know that I thank God for you! I have been enriched because of you!

Philippians 1:3-7 NAS

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart.

Happy Thanksgiving 2013