What’s there to be thankful about?
A lot of work goes into those church Family Games Nights. The final game at some of ours consisted of a ‘present-pick-and-exchange’ game. On one such night the best wrapped present was the last to be chosen—a late entry. Lots of voices rose as the last guy went to get his prize. Most waving their opened gifts, hoping he would swap his ‘box of hope’ for their unwanted wares. Over the din, and since I saw what was inside, I strongly suggested that he immediately swap it for something he could see. But the beauty of the packaging was too appealing. He had hit the jackpot and wouldn’t be dissuaded. Everyone was dying to know what was about to appear in his hand. I was dying to know how he was going to react at its appearing. He ripped the paper off, exposing a pretty box, opened the box and lifted out, for all to see…? ‘A booklet of newsletter articles.’ He had no idea what to think, let alone what to say.
As his brain was trying to process this event, his face was trying to react as appreciatively as possible; disappointment won. Of course, the kind Christians there offered to swap him their ‘better’ gifts. Gifts, that ironically grew in value exponentially in the space to two minutes when now compared to his. And, as they say, the rest is history.
In our society of plenty, thankfulness has diminished in value. Often not given, often not expected. Tragically, with eternal consequences, lack of appreciation spills over into the spiritual world. The costly sacrifices of our spiritual ‘fathers and mothers,’ who established the congregations that we so easily take for granted, are just as easily forgotten. Kind people who gave all they could into putting the Kingdom first. They were hospitable to a fault and ready to give up their evenings and Saturdays to help where they could. They budgeted their usually working-class wages to help those in need and to improve the church facilities. They sewed, built, fed, encouraged, cried, healed, picked up, and dropped off, cleaned, raised other people’s kids, taught…I could go on, and on.
For some, this is old man’s talk. Reminiscing about things that he is fond of remembering—probably exaggerating for effect. In fact, I could start listing hundreds upon hundreds of names of Christians, alive and in Paradise, whom I have personally witnessed in the act of sacrificial Kingdom building. None of them considered it a sacrifice. Just something to show their appreciation to an all-giving Saviour! On judgement day all will pass through the fires of judgement and be exposed for what it truly was—“Soul-saving work!” What it took to create and develop an environment of heavenly hope. A Jesus-family home. Where the gospel is preached, the wonders of God’s Word explained, values mentored, friendships moulded, and needs taken care of. What’s there to be thankful about? A lot!
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