** And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshiped God, 12 saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. ** Revelation 7:11
Earthly living is practice time for Heaven. We can sing, praise, love others, and spread hope, happiness, peace and joy today. We can influence others for the Kingdom of God. We can give a ‘little bit of Heaven’ in dozens of ways.
We can bake cookies, visit the sick, mow someone’s lawn or call a friend when she’s going through a bad time.
We can text, video call, send an email, or send an actual card or note to someone who needs encouragement.
It is easier to do any of these things when we have a grateful heart for our own life and situation. If we think long enough, there is always someone else who is going through tougher times than we are. Knowing that there is worse suffering out beyond our little world helps us to see we have so much to be thankful for. And that thankfulness can move us into action to help those whose day is tougher than ours.
An old time preacher used to say ” If you are feeling sorry for yourself, go bake someone else some cookies” (Jack Hyles)
An attitude of gratitude will go a long way in this life. It helps us to keep our head above water. It helps us to keep things in perspective. It helps us to remember all the good that we have and all the kindness that the Lord has shown to us over time and on a daily basis.
Having a thank you list, at least in our heads, can help us get through the disappointments that pop up at any given moment. When I am feeling down, I try to remember my list and it helps to get me out of bed and start the day. Gratefulness keeps us moving.
One day out of the year, Americans and Canadians and hopefully other cultures, stop what they are doing and take some time to be grateful for family, food and liberty. Many thank God for all these things and more.
But there is coming a time in all of our after-lives when we will be in attendance at the greatest Thanksgiving ever imagined. We will all be assembled around the Lord’s throne. Every nation from throughout all the ages. All peoples, races, and languages. All people of all sizes, colors and shapes.
And the voices of the elders and beasts of Heaven will ring out their praise to the One on the throne and we will all bow in worship as we join them in giving thanks to the Holy One who saved us, cared for us, and kept us until that moment.
It will be the loudest, most overwhelming, unimaginable moment in eternity. It will be unforgettable.
It will have more impact than our wedding day, the birth of our children, the joy of our grandchildren or the day we won the lottery!!
It will be the Best Thanksgiving Day ever!!