The Meaning of Thanksgiving Day - Pt. 3

 

Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. (1 Chronicles 29:10-13 ESV).

 

Twenty-one years ago (which fell on Thanksgiving Day that year) I was preparing for the Thanksgiving meal with David and Aaron when I received the call from Kyle that it looked like the twins were going to be born that day. Faith and Logan, our oldest grandchildren, were indeed born that day in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Mary was already there since she had moved to help Kyle and Brandy as she was hospitalized and on bed rest to insure the longest term possible for the babies. They were born at 36 weeks though that required a lengthy stay in the hospital.

 

When Kyle called, he asked how soon I could get there and my reply was simple. I had purchased a plane ticket for that day many days before. I told him I had planned on being there since I believed God was going to bring them into the world on Thanksgiving. He scoffed a bit at that, but it was true. I have known God to have a bit of humorous fun with me through the years. A part of that is the reminder of how little I need to control. So, my feeling was that regardless of what I might think, Faith and Logan would be a constant reminder of the goodness and graciousness of God being born on Thanksgiving Day. I did not get there for the actual birth (I would have been in the way anyhow), I was able to see them on their first day of life outside the womb. What a blessing!

 

The picture I’ve included with this devotional was taken last year at an Aggie football game. You can see they have grown into wonderful young adults. I could write so much more about my gratitude for how God has already worked in my life as I have watched each step of their growth. I suppose that should not surprise me. God is like that. So, today, I want to remind each of you of two things. First, God is good and desires that good for us; and, second, regardless of the circumstances, be thankful for God’s great gift of life. Happy Birthday, Faith and Logan… thank you for being in my life! And, thank you Lord for bringing them into my life!