A Thought For The Week Of October 14

"I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever." (Psalm 86:12) Today was Thanksgiving Day in Canada. It is, in some ways, a strange idea - that we would have to set aside a special day to give thanks, as if giving thanks shouldn't simply come naturally to us every day we live. But I guess that sometimes we need reminders even to do what should be the most obvious things. It's interesting that in this country - which often seems so secular - Thanksgiving Day has a specific reference to God. In the Proclamation of our Parliament, dated January 31, 1957, it was announced that there would be "A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed – to be observed on the 2nd Monday in October." We do give thanks to God for the harvest, of course, but there's so much more to it than just that. What do we have that doesn't find its origins in God? Food, friends, family, faith - all blessings from God. Maybe that's why the Bible also gives us constant reminders to be thankful. The Psalms are full of verses like Psalm 86:12; it's just one of many reminders that the various psalmists offered to keep us ever mindful of the goodness, grace and generosity of our God. Today may be Thanksgiving Day - a holiday. But every day should be a day of thanksgiving - a holy day dedicated to God, in which we remember and give thanks for God's presence in our lives. have a great week!