COME, YOU THANKFUL PEOPLE, COME
Come, you thankful people, come;
Raise the song of harvest home.
All is safely gathered in
Ere the winter storms begin.
God, our maker doth provide
For our wants to be supplied.
Come to God's own temple, come
Raise the song of harvest home.
As a young girl attending Dunbar Elementary School in Kansas City, Kansas I looked forward to Friday afternoons when our teachers would let us sing or do art. My favorite times were singing all kinds of songs - patriotic ones, fun ones, and songs for the holidays.
With the approaching Thanksgiving holiday, I recall how the words and meaning of Henry Alford's "Come, You Thankful People, Come" made me feel. Even as a young girl, I had some understanding that we should depend on God and give thanks to Him for our blessings. Today, I am convinced of the importance of gratitude. Nothing promotes a positive approach to life more than acknowledging the blessings - small and
large- in our lives. We look to the scriptures for reassurance - 1 Thessalonians 5:18 "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus". There may be reasons why this simple act of practicing gratitude is not valued. For example,
children did not hear their parents verbally express appreciation for the good things in their lives or many people feel entitled and have difficulty understanding that there are very few things in life that are guaranteed us. One other reason for not practicing gratitude is linked to a negative attitude. We all know people who consistently have little (or nothing) positive to say about anything - always a complaint, blaming others when something did not go as they planned. It's not unusual for pessimistic people to "wait for the other shoe to drop" as if good things are not to be appreciated. Hence, a lack of gratitude. Is it possible, you might ask, for people to change and learn to express appreciation? Of course - but with a great deal of modeling, practice and a sincere desire for change. Some strategies that may promote change include making a list of things (situations or people) that enrich your life. Keeping a "gratitude journal" with daily entries helps us appreciate the smallest blessings. Reading God's words about giving thanks serves as a model of behavior along with prayers acknowledging His faithfulness in providing for us. May I challenge you during this season of thanksgiving
(and every day!) to be THANKFUL.
Even so, Lord quickly come
To your final harvest home.
Gather all your people in,
Free from sorrow, free from sin,
There, forever purified, in your garner to abide.
Come, with all your angels, come,
Raise the glorious harvest home.
