First World Problems Stifle Thanksgiving

Before Black Friday merchandisers offered Thanksgiving Day sales. The networks provided movies and cartoons that retold the story of the first Thanksgiving with natives and settlers cooperating and feasting together. Our extended family took turns hosting the annual get together. From the stone fireplace of Aunt Shirley and Uncle Louie's house, to the open staircase of Grandpa and Grandma's house, to the 50's formica and tile of Aunt Mary and Uncle Junior's house, to the circular downstairs of our own house we rotated.

Uncle Junior always rooted for and bragged on the Cowboys as "America's team." The rest of us tried to set him straight. The kids played Twister or Operation in another room. The parents and older kids worked at the feast and caught up with each other. Turkey feathers, Indian corn and cornucopias decorated the windows along with words like "Give Thanks." We took time before diving into the meal to pray and thank God for another year and His help.

Nowadays it's challenging to commercialize a slowdown to Thank God for what we have. We are not supposed to have enough. In fact, even if we think we do, its our duty to shop to keep the economy spinning.

Our lack of Thanksgiving may run deeper than commercialization. My granddad died under mysterious circumstances and the half insurance payment soon ran out. My grandmother had to sell eggs and clothes she had made from scratch to keep food on the table. Grandma cleaned the Church and took help from her family for awhile before work opened up. She knew firsthand the need to stop and give thanks for God's help and the kindness of others to get her through.

 Our basic level of comfort in the United States is crazy high. Consistent electricity, heating, cooling, indoor plumbing, an automobile, television, computer, beds, furniture, refrigeration, machines to wash and dry our clothes, several sets of clothes and more is considered basic. Free public education with transportation provided to the school and at least a midday meal is expected. If life falls under this standard, there might be a reason to thank someone who moves us back into the mainstream, but to take a whole long weekend to stare at our belly buttons and thank God for all these basics? Let's just move on to Christmas!

What if our prosperity is not primarily the result of our own hard work or brains or risk taking? What if our prosperity actually comes from God, not as manifest destiny, but because of His kindness? If we ignore the time nationally set aside to return thanks, are we not sending a cruel and spoiled message to God? Might he not choose to let us go it alone for awhile so we feel what our great hard work, brains and risk taking can actually accomplish? What if He has already stepped back and said, "OK lets see what you can do without me."?