Thanksgiving 2020 is history. Or is it? That’s like saying Covid 2020 is history or since January 1, 2021 is soon around the corner that all of 2020 will be history. (I wish. But I digress).

Let’s go back to my original statement: Thanksgiving 2020 is history. Or is it? For many it will be. It was a day off work for some. It was a time to get away and visit friends and family- in spite of what the government said. For me it was a time of reflection as we found our plans changed big time; a bike ride; a great meal with the three of us (me, Jo & Tami); a day to work on a jigsaw puzzle (my relaxing, mindless hobby); and doing basically nothing. It was a day of gratitude. 

But the Scripture passage I read today does 2 things: 1) It puts things in perspective; and 2) serves as a warning. Phil. 2:14 says, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing.” The word disputing can be translated as complaining. So we have the option of going from gratitude to grumbling and complaining. I daresay it seems the latter is much more common than the former. It also serves as a warning of how easy it is to slip into that mode of forgetting how good God is and all we have, to gripe and complain about what we don’t. That tends to be heightened with Christmas around the corner. If there is ever a time where we struggle with contentment it is this time of the year.

Let’s not forget gratitude. Let’s not slip, fall, go tumbling head first into grumbling and complaining. Let’s keep the gratitude going.

“Father, start with me. Remind me of the need to stay grateful.”