Thanksgiving and Thanks-taking

While most of us are brought up to say “Thank you” when someone does something for us, it can feel rote or empty.  I think that part of what Thanksgiving helps us do is re-member what giving thanks is about.  It is recognizing that another has had an effect on your life (usually good) AND you want to acknowledge it in some way.  The precipitating action might be opening a door or wishing you a good day. Simple enough, yet it is the fact that the other made a small sacrifice to step outside themselves by recognizing another human and did something kind.  These gracious acts are freely given and we accept them graciously by replying, “Thank you.” 

There is grace underlying our giving thanks.  Grace – a gift freely given for which we do nothing to warrant – binds our relationship with God.  We are made worthy of God’s love and salvation by grace, and for that we give thanks, always and everywhere. While God does more for us than open doors or wish us a good day, the foundation is the same. 

Have you ever met someone who is hard to compliment?  Someone who denies the offered praise or diminishes their part in an action to the point of unimportance?  Are you someone like that?  I am, or have been in the past, until someone told me that what I need to say is, “Thank you” and allow the compliment to stand without false modesty or accommodation.  This is grace and the other side of giving thanks – accepting thanks! 

Many good-hearted people do not offer themselves in service in order to receive accolades or personal glory.  Indeed many are responding to God’s call to love our neighbor as ourselves. And yet when someone tries to thank them, they say, “No, no, this is not about me,” or “It was nothing.” These self-effacing responses deny the grace of the moment.  The exchange cannot be complete without accepting the offered thanks, even if it is on God’s behalf!  It can be as easy as saying, “Thank you – to God be the Glory!”

Let us give and take thanks this holiday season with joy and grace. By doing so we are building God’s peaceable realm here on earth, recognizing each other’s actions and interactions as moments of grace.  Imagine the world we could usher in if we all shared a sense of true and honest thanksgiving and thanks-taking. We recognize our interdependence on each and on God to help support us and give us strength, especially when offering or accepting thanks is difficult. 

I wish you all a grace-filled Thanksgiving.

In Christ,

Rev. Valerie+

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