This year we have spent a good deal of time on gratitude. How important it is to be thankful for what we have been given. But how often have we drawn a distinction between our natural gifts, and those gifts which transcend the time and space world in which we live? It is with this in mind that we share the following article by Rev. David Holm, in which he draws our attention to a different kind of
preparation for Thanksgiving, and with it (perhaps) a renewed focus on how the Lord, from His love, continually provides for our spiritual life.
Wishing you a Peaceful and Reflective Thanksgiving celebration.
Blessings,
Ethan
If we pause in our busy lives, even for a short time, and concentrate on the benefits the Lord has given us, we will find that they are more than we can number. Most of us do this far too seldom. Indeed, if we are honest with ourselves we will find that often we are more aware of our problems and shortcomings then we are of the Lord's blessings. We should actively seek to
form a spirit of gratitude within ourselves-a spirit which brings the gift of thanksgiving to the Lord.
"My faces shall not be seen empty.” By this text is meant the following: the presence of the Divine good of the Lord in His Word can never be seen, understood, acknowledged or believed unless the truths of
faith with us are genuine and so are open to and filled by good. It is from [the Lord’s] good in us that we can see and receive more of goodness and know Him as a God of love.
We are therefore to offer back to Him the good we have received from Him-offer it back to [our God] in order that we can receive ever more from Him.
From [this] treasure we are to make gifts of thanksgiving that we may be blessed anew. There is nothing selfish in this desire to be blessed with more good if use in [the Lord’s] kingdom be our goal. It is thankfulness or gratitude that causes us to proffer back the good we have received. This is the quality for which we should actively strive. Without cheerful gratitude our opening to [God] is limited.
To understand the nature of genuine thanksgiving, we must turn to what the Writings say about it. In the Word, thanksgiving signifies that “all worship of the Lord is from the Lord.” (Swedenborg, Revelation Revealed 249). This means that we can worship the Lord only with and from those things which we receive from Him. … If thanksgiving is to be genuine [then], it must be from those gifts we have been given by [God]. The gifts of goodness and truth in His Word. We are to return these gifts from our hearts-from a good will. Included in this is an acknowledgment of all the Lord's qualities of love and mercy as seen in that Word. This is not to be an empty
knowledge we are to offer, but truth filled with the good of life.
In the warm atmosphere of mutual love and appreciation…let us remind ourselves of our many blessings, not merely those of the natural world, but especially of [these], our spiritual blessings!