A Season of Thanks

After writing yesterday’s post, I continued to dwell on the reasons I have to give thanks to God. In the course of checking the postings—yes we do actually edit—I noticed the counter had logged over 3300 readers since its installation on July 24. Given the highly limited size of the audience and the narrow limits of the appeal of what is written here, Jan and I have cause to thank each and every one of you for your interest and occasional participation. You have provided encouragement and provocative thought as members of the Zion Beckons family. We give you the special thanks you deserve and praise God for your activity.

We have also shared some intimate details about ourselves and our families. Of course we treasure your acceptance of us—warts and all. Regarding the family matters, you have responded wonderfully to our prayer requests. Since I asked for your prayers for my brother, his condition has improved exponentially. He still has cancer but he is virtually pain free and gradually returning to his normal boisterous self. We will join him and his wife for part of the coming holiday near Chicago. We can hardly wait.

It is a never ending source of amazement to me that the Lord constantly demonstrates His willingness to bend to help us in our every need. We realize we are next to nothing in the grand scale of things but he consistently takes the time and trouble to bail us out. I am ashamed to say, He provides far more than we can ever give in return. Since it is not a “zero sum game,” we should gracefully accept His benevolence and rejoice in His love.

We associate with a group of other Saints who exchange messages about God working in their lives. Like all of us, they are subject to human physical breakdown and other difficulties. The testimonies of His activity in their affairs are a perpetual source of strength for all of us. The most significant aspect of their relationship is their willingness to turn the conduct of their existence over to the care and keeping of their Heavenly Father. I thank God for His interest, healing and encouragement in all our lives.

I am fully aware that “thanksgiving” should not be reduced to a seasonal occurrence. Given what we have all received; it should be a matter of constant concern. However, I appreciate that an annual event does bring a special reminder to us individually and as an historical point to ponder. Coming, as it does, just before the Christmas season, it serves as a focal point of preparation to celebrate the birth of our Savior. Considering the nature of the secular world, it’s possible I feel closer to Him in this season than I do surrounded by red nosed reindeer, gaudy lighting displays and the other trappings of commercial appeal. I may actually be turning into the Grinch.

My exploding Christmas list of grandchildren prevents me from ignoring the commercial holiday altogether. It started out as a clothing item and a toy for each. This has now been reduced to a toy each for those under ten and a personally selected article of clothing. We do not exchange gifts with adults. I felt I could not face one more daintily wrapped beribboned package of myrrh. Since I now have developed somewhat of a reputation for picking out stuff for kids—I do it, not Jan—I can’t stop. Oh well, there’s only twenty of them. The point is: once my heart is full of thanks giving, I am then prepared to go out and spread the love around.

Despite the ACLU, historical revisionists, and other killjoys, we still have Thanksgiving as a reminder of the providential nature of God. We can recognize His gifts and appreciate the generosity of others and pay due diligence to the pumpkin pie, cranberries, and, thanks to our good neighbors the Tysons, turkey. As my late stepfather used to say, “Everyone should have as much.”

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon