Taking Time

September 23, 2018

It’s not as if there is nothing for which to give thanks. It would take me quite awhile to even begin to list all the blessings that are mine today. The problem isn’t a lack of blessing; it’s a day so packed with work and people that I haven’t had time to reflect and choose something to write about. Ever since I was a kid in Sunday School, I was taught that Sunday is a day of rest, but there hasn’t been anything restful about it. Two worship services this morning, granddaughter Mattie’s birthday party for most of the afternoon with cleanup following before teaching electric bass at our School Of The Arts this evening. I guess the mere fact that I was able to squeeze all that in should be a point of gratitude. 

My point is simple. The words “think” and “thank” are closely related; often we fail to give thanks because we fail to think. We fail to think because we cram so much into our days and nights, often stuff that actually dulls our capacity for reflection, that thinking is simply crowded out. So tonight, I am thinking, and in doing so, am finding plenty of fodder for thanksgiving. Anyone can do it. It just takes a bit of time and a desire to look at life through the lens of gratitude instead of griping. Scripture commands us to “give thanks in all things, for this is the will of God...” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Failure to do so not only impoverishes us and imprisons us in the pit of ingratitude; it is disobedience to the clearly revealed Word of God. So tonight I am obeying God’s command and finding blessing by taking the time to give thanks. I highly recommend it.