Giving Thanks

For much of my life, I took it for granted that in America there is a holiday set aside to “give thanks” for the many blessings in our lives. This celebration began in our nation almost 400 years ago and was intended to be a day focused on God, to thank Him for the gifts of His provision of health, food and the other basics of life.

As we celebrated Thanksgiving this week, I realize that even though we have one wonderful day set aside specifically to “give thanks,” the attitude of thanksgiving should permeate every part of our lives.

Last year, when I walked through the diagnosis of cancer, and the surgeries and treatment that brought me to total healing, I found that it was very easy to be grateful for the simple things of life… including simply waking up to another day. The gift of life is often overlooked as we focus on the situations that come our way. However, as I watched God use even the difficult days to build my character, I found a new love for the truth that I can give thanks IN every situation (1 Thessalonians 5:16).

C. S. Lewis once wrote, “We ought to give thanks for all fortune: If it is ‘good’ because it is good, if ‘bad’ because it works in us patience, humility and the contempt of this world and the hope of our eternal country.’” We, like those men and women of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11 (especially verses 13-16), may not receive all the promises of God in this world, but see them with our spiritual eyes and embrace them by faith, knowing that this world is not our true home. We desire a better – a heavenly – country, and every event of this life prepares us for that which is ahead in eternity. This is the training ground.

As we look forward to a new year, may we ask the Lord to use this Thanksgiving and Christmas season to open our eyes in a greater way to see that “eternal country” - the Kingdom of God at work in and around us. And may He use us to bring about that truth to those around us who do not know Him, His Kingdom, or His great love for them. Truly, Jesus said, “The Kingdom of God is at hand.” It is near us and is in us who believe. As we pray “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done…” may we have faith to know that God is doing just that as He uses each day and each situation to reveal Himself to us. For that, we can give thanks always.

Preparation. An interesting word that involves effort.

When Charlie and I felt we were to have a garden, we didn’t just walk out to the pasture and say, “This is it. This is the garden…” and walk away. We began to make plans. We asked questions. How big did we want the garden to be? What would we plant? How should we prepare the ground? What time of the year should we work the ground? When should we purchase the plants or would we start them from seeds? When would it be ready?

We are told to count the cost. That means to consider what it will take to do the work. Many people plan and even begin a good work, but not as many finish.

Preparation begins with making a decision – and a commitment – as to what you are going to do. You can have all the good intentions in the world, but if you stop with the concept and never actually prepare or do the work, you will never reach the goal.

After your make your decision, then you must ask questions, think through the process, re-think the process…and then begin to work. You may even have to spend some time studying what it is that you need to do...especially if what you are doing is something you have never done before. You must do the work and, in the right order. Reaching the goal and getting the desired results involves endurance, perseverance and following through with the plan.

For example, when I think about celebrating Thanksgiving (which is next Thursday), Charlie and I sit down and make a plan. We invite people to come for our celebration. (This year, we are spending Thanksgiving with our children and grandchildren and a few additional friends and family.) Then, when I know who is coming and how many people to plan for, I begin to ask questions: What will we have to eat? Will I need an extra table or two? How will we seat everyone? How will we serve the food?

I make a list of things we are going to eat and collect my recipes. I go to the store and purchase the food. I write out a timetable for when to prepare the food… what has to be served hot and what needs to be cold. I plan the table settings and decorations.

It normally takes much more time to prepare for the event as it takes for the actual event itself. For example, it takes hours just to make my cornbread dressing and stuff and bake the turkey, and the meal is usually eaten in less than an hour.

As I consider my spiritual life, the question is, “What am I doing to prepare for the future?”

In the last book of the Bible, called Revelation, toward the end (19:7), it says, “…The bride has made herself ready.” When John, the disciple of Jesus who recorded God’s word in Revelation, speaks about the Bride, He is referring to the Church. The Church is every Christian who has given their heart to Christ. The Church is the Bride, who will spend eternity in heaven with her Bridegroom, Jesus Christ. That is why we as Christians are so passionate about Jesus Christ… because He is our heavenly bridegroom.

History began with a wedding, as God created the first man and woman and gave them to each other. And history will end with a wedding, when Jesus Christ has the wedding feast with His Bride, the Church…all Christians. We will then live eternally together, in unity and harmony as one Body, one Church, one Bride, with shared passion…for God, in a heavenly marriage to Him.

So, what are you doing to prepare yourself to be that heavenly Bride?

This preparation involves a deep work in the heart. This preparation is not about what we DO as much as WHO WE ARE. What is our character like? Are we loving, gentle and joyful people? Are we becoming holy? Are we passionately obeying the Word of God and spending time with Him now while we are on earth? Are we truly those “called out ones” who are separated from the things of the world? Or are we too busy loving the things of the world to have time to prepare our hearts? If we are becoming the prepared Bride in our hearts and attitudes, then our actions will line up with our character.

Before Charlie and I were married, he asked “the question”: “Will you marry me?” After I said I would, he asked my parents if he could have their permission to marry me. They said “yes.” Then the preparations began. We set the date for our wedding, five months away. My mother and I began working on the other details…a place for the wedding, who to invite, ordering invitations, asking those who would be attendants, purchasing the wedding dress and the bridesmaid’s dress, picking music, ordering flowers, finding a place for the reception, ordering the food…and all of the other details.

And then the day came; I was ready for the wedding. Everything was in place. Everything went according to our plan. It was a nice wedding. At the end of the ceremony, we were husband and wife.

Can you imagine my NOT being ready? Can you see me walking down the aisle with my hair messed up, in my jogging clothes? Or can you imagine that I would be somewhere else, going to a movie or a party, and be late for my wedding? No! My entire life for those five months was focused on being ready for the day of my wedding. And I can assure you, I was ready early!

However, several weeks later, I realized I didn’t know Charlie very well, and I was not sure I had done the right thing by marrying him. I had been ready for the wedding – the ceremony. But I was not prepared for the MARRIAGE. I had done all the outer preparations...the dress, the flowers, the things people could see. But my heart was not prepared.

Charlie and I met in October of our senior years in college. We got engaged in December – only two short months later. He graduated from college in early January and went to military training. Between the day he graduated and the day of our wedding, we only saw each other 5 times and the last time, I was walking down the aisle. After the wedding, I realized that I didn’t know him and I was not sure I liked him – at least enough to spend the rest of my life with him. He was nice as a person, ambitious and very responsible. But, I was not ready for the responsibility of being a wife, much less of later becoming a mother.

In our spiritual lives we like the idea of “going to heaven.” Many have this idea of being a cupid and sitting on a cloud for the rest of their lives. I don’t find that in the scriptures. But whatever your view of heaven, the question is are you ready for the marriage? Are you preparing? Are you getting to know Jesus Christ, the Bridegroom, through reading His love letters written to you in the Bible? He will not marry a stranger. Are you spending time talking with Him? Most of us have no problems talking AT God, and giving Him the list of what we need or want. But, He wants us to sit and listen to Him, also.

One day as I was walking in our back pasture, I said, “Lord, what is on your heart today?” He answered with, “Thank you, my child!” I asked what He meant. He replied, “Most people want me to know what is on their heart, but rarely do my children stop and ask what is on my heart.” That made me very sad, as I realized that I was one who rarely had stopped to think of what God thought or what He wanted. I had been more concerned with myself than with Him, His Kingdom and His people. God is always thinking of us, what is best for us, and how He can pour out His love on us.

Our heart preparation involves becoming like Him and partnering with His Holy Spirit to be cleansed of our selfishness and self-focus.

Again, I ask…”What are you doing to prepare for the marriage? What kind of time are you investing in building your relationship with your loving Bridegroom? Do you have eyes for another (like the world?) Or are you focused on building your love and passion for the one who loves you with an everlasting love, even to the point of giving His life for you? Have you given your life to Him? Are you giving your life for Him?"

It is time for the Bride to prepare. It is time for us to be watchful. We don’t know when that day will come, but we are told to be ready. That readiness is a matter of our hearts belonging totally to Him. It is a matter of expectancy and anticipation. It is an matter of desire. It is a matter of working at the preparations so when the day comes, we will be ready.

Now is the day of preparation – not tomorrow. Now is the moment to decide what is important. Now is the time to change. Don’t delay. Prepare now.

Liberty...don't take it for granted

LIBERTY. What an amazing word. What an amazing concept. What a costly reality.

Yesterday was Veteran's Day...the day when our nation honors those who have served throughout the years in the United States military. How appropriate, but especially this year after the horror at Fort Hood only a week ago. We do not expect our soldiers to face opposition from one who has taken the oath to defend our nation and to defend freedom around the world.

Charlie and I had the privilege of attending a Veteran's Day ceremony yesterday at our granddaughter's school. She wanted her grandpa to come to the program and to wear his "military outfit!" She had never seen him in his uniform.

It was a special day and the program was very good. The students from each grade sang songs about our nation, and the veterans who attended were introduced and honored.

We were a military family for 26 years. Charlie was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Air Force on a Saturday in May, 1967, and we were married the next day. (He never forgot our anniversary!)

Nations have a military for different reasons. In America, first is for self-defense. Other nations build a military force to conquer other nations and build empires. I am thankful that as we study the history of America, that has never been our purpose. When American soldiers have fought on foreign soil, it has been for the purpose of liberty. We have not fought to conquer and control other nations, but so that nations would have the same freedoms and self-rule that our nation enjoys.

A military uniform can look impressive. The decorations and honors are worn with the rank the military member has been awarded. However, as in many things in life, it is not just the outside that is important. I am married to a man whose heart is drawn toward peace and liberty. He is not a violent man, but a man of love and compassion.

I remember a conversation I had many years ago with a friend who was a U.S. Air Force pilot. He flew an F-4 fighter jet. He commented that his strongest motive for serving in the military was that he is a lover of PEACE. I asked how he could be in the military, fly a fighter, and believe so strongly in peace. He responded with, "You don't want someone in the military that does not believe in peace. It is those who want peace that fight for freedom."

Over the years I have thought back to that conversation. We have seen terrorists who kill innocent civilians with surprise bombings. We have seen oppression and violation of human rights around the world. But we have the privilege of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," and desire that for all men, women and children in the world.

This day I am thankful for the freedoms I have. I do not take them for granted. I have read that those who have not fought for their freedoms tend to treat them lightly. I will not treat those freedoms as anything but privileges that bring forth gratitude. And I am thankful for those who gave their lives for me to have those freedoms. May we seek to use our freedoms responsibly... for the good of our nation, our communities, and our world...and not for selfish endeavors and purposes. In this way, we honor those who died so that we could live in a free nation.

We who are Christians, have other freedoms that many do not experience. Those freedoms are far beyond this world and cannot be controlled by situations or people of this world. God has given us inner freedom from fear, worry and anxiety, from sin and other inner bondages in our hearts. Jesus Christ died to set us free and deliver us from the oppression of the evil in the world. We even look forward to life after this world, because we know we will spend eternity with a God of love, purpose, forgiveness and wholeness. And our days on this earth are lived with divine purpose and destiny, as we serve Him and share His love with those who do not yet know Him.

Even those Christians who live in nations where there is outward oppression and persecution, have inner peace and freedom in their hearts. I remember the testimony of a prisoner of war from the Vietnam era who spent nearly seven years in a dirty cell with rats and bugs. He shared that as he looked through the bars on his cell door at the guard on the outside, and as he lived those years of being tortured, near starvation, and violently interrogated, he still knew who was "the real prisoner." It was the guard, living in his own prison of inner violence, anger and hatred. This man, though living as a prisoner, had the inner freedom that comes with the gift of salvation and all Christ died on the cross to give us. He spent much of his time in that cell praying for his fellow prisoners, but also praying for those captors whose hearts were emprisoned.

A price paid was for our liberty. Veterans have died for our nation's freedom. Jesus Christ gave His life for our inner freedom. May we truly celebrate the gifts we have every day and may we lift our voices and use that freedom to share with others and to cry out to God on their behalf.