Give Thanks

I love this picture. I'm not sure why. Originally a 1918 photograph by Eric Enstrom, then more recently reproduced in oils by his daughter, it must have hung on a wall in the home of one of my grandparents. While the table setting and walls around him are so meager (and the book I always asumed was a Bible looks so big and daunting), this man always seemed so peaceful to me. He's old. Alone. Perhaps poor. Yet peaceful. It's title is simply "Grace".

I wonder if perhaps I ought to offer more graces and say few prayers. To "say a prayer" tends to conjure long lists of requests the untold numbers who do indeed need the attention of spritual being. Yet "saying grace" has in my mind anyway the spirit of offering rather than asking.

This year at the Thanksgiving meal I was asked to offer the blessing before the meal. (Maybe it was because last year I missed both the blessing and the meal??....another entry - another day?) Nonetheless at the first ask I was offered the oppotunity to share a little bit of what I'm thankful for in the midst of times that are not the easiest. As I sought some insight from those whose words of thanks are recorded in the Bible, I came to a profound understanding. I remembered that the Biblical references are often in the imperative mood (I just love gramatical verbiage!) We are told over and over to "Give thanks!" Over and over again as I read the references, I saw that the command to give thanks was not based "even a pinch," as my daughter says, on the circumstances or situations in which those instructed to give thanks found themselves. Repeatedly we along with our historic Israelite brothers and sisters were told to give thanks
to the LORD because "His love endures forever." Now there's a reason to be thankful. That gets me out of my own pity party. And even pity parties I'd like to throw for others who are in dire straights. The stuff that is difficult in my life and the lives of people I know and love is equivelant to the blink of an eye in comparison to a forever-enduring love.

Nope, it doesn't make my crap less "crappier" - but it does make me shift my focus. There's a reason that many 12-step and other types of recovery programs have folks keep a gratitude journal. Every day, entering 5 things for which they are thankful. Some people say that the first few days it is often really difficult to come up with 5 things. Over time, it gets increasingly easier. Being thankful is a mindset. A choice. Sure, I can be thankful when blessings pour in my life. That's easy. It's when I'm feeling like I'm living (barely) in a dark hole and yet I choose to "Give thanks to the LORD because His love endures forever."