Thanksgiving, as I remember while growing up at our place, that it was a very busy time of the year, and not affording us much time to admire this beautiful time of the year, when the leaves turn to such glorious shades and colors for our eyes to marvel at.
Our whole family would be in the midst of processing thousands of chickens and turkeys for the Thanksgiving and Christmas tables. For our own dinners however, we seldom had turkey, but most times it was a roasted goose, stuffed with “bubbatt” dressing and all the trimmings that provided a great feast for our very large family who made it home for Thanksgiving.
All our heads around the table were bowed in silent “thanksgiving” before we started to pass around the wonderful bounty that had been provided.
The real “spirit of thanksgiving” did not manifest itself in my life until some 30 years later, when I realized all that I should be thankful to God for His many mercies in my life!
As I started to read His Word, especially the Psalms, I learned how the authors were urging us to show our gratitude to Him in all things:
Psalm 118:21 states: “I will give You thanks, for You answered me, You have become my salvation”, and for that I have become eternally grateful!
Likewise Psalm 107:1,2 urges us to “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever!”
I am learning more each day that when we give thanks to God, we sense this feeling of dependence on the One who provides us with all good things, and He has our best interest in mind at all times.
When I give thanks, it builds my confidence and faith and trust in Him, the He will provide all my needs in Christ Jesus!
Because of that I can also say (Psalm 108:3 – “I will praise You among the Nations, for great is Your Love, Your faithfulness reaches to the sky”.
Most of all, my gratitude is for the salvation of my soul, and for the new life He gave to me in my remaining years to help others to “ Come and taste that the Lord is good, His love endures for ever!”
Wishing each of you a most blessed life of Thanksgiving each day and throughout the year!
Peter A. Kehler, a Berliner Kehler, Pastors at Bow Valley Christian Church and resides in Calgary, AB.
Brother Peter, you reminded us all of the need to again to bow our heads and give thanks for all the Lord God has provided for us, and the salvation he has promised to all who believe in him, and receive him as Lord and Savior.
Brother Glen
Peter well said, thanks
Thank you Uncle Peter for your words and praises to God! It really is a blessing to us all to have you in our family and to continue to show us how we can serve God and to really listen to and understand God’s word. I give thanks for you each and every day. I give thanks to God for all my blessings. And even when I sometimes feel like I am alone, I know that God is always by my side! Thank you so very much again Uncle Peter!
Oh thank you Peter for this message of Thanksgiving. I truly am blessed to call you brother in OUR family and the family of God. Makes us double related right? May all our extended family take this to heart and truly realize how thankfulness is such a thing to do, and how it pleases the Creator of all things in Heaven and earth. Blessings to you always for this anointed message.