Giving Thanks

Yesterday, I went with some colleagues to scout a location for business events. It was a beautiful mansion that can be rented, managed by one of our group. You even had to drive over a little bridge to get to it. I’ve directed photo and video shoots at a number of these kinds of properties around LA and it always gets me thinking…

As I drove home, I passed lots of other homes of similar value and size and thought about how each one of the owners worked very hard to be able to afford them. I respect that. 

I also thought about the people who work very hard at one – or more – jobs every day just to make ends meet and feed their family. They will never live in a giant house with six bathrooms and a kitchen that looks like a page out of Architectural Digest. I also respect that. I have compassion too, because it isn’t easy to live while balancing life so close to the edge.

Today is Thanksgiving and both the “haves” and “have nots” are thinking about what they have to be thankful for.

People who seem to have everything may, in truth, lack what matters most and be miserable. As we know, there’s a long list of celebrities that have ruined their lives or have even committed suicide after using money, fame, possessions, the pursuit of ageless beauty, and addictive behaviors to fill a void that was impossible to satisfy. The 17th century French philosopher Blaise Pascal called it a “God-shaped vacuum” within us. Only God can fill it. 

On the other hand, people who have the least can be the richest in what does matter most: true faith and contentment, which have nothing to do with material things. I know because I’ve met them. Less can be more – it depends on how you measure it. Without the distraction of possessions this world and our culture say you have to have to be successful, they have a very different perspective. They can see beyond greed to the truth. As the saying goes, the best things in life are not things! 

When we consider what we have to be thankful for today, let’s not forget the bigger picture. Some people will have dinner today in a million dollar kitchen while others will have theirs cooked on a hot plate. Some will be given their dinner free at a soup kitchen. Some won’t have dinner at all…

We celebrate Thanksgiving every year as a special day set aside to give thanks to God for all of the blessings we’ve been given. Everything comes from Him, from the beat of our heart to our family and those we love, past and present. From the food on our plate to the place that we live. Yes, material things are part of what God gives us, but let’s remember they aren’t what matters most. 

The word giving can also be a response of gratitude to extend our thanks to God even further. There are many things that anyone can give for free. Kindness. Love. Help. Time. Listening. Hugs. Let’s give lots and lots of these too.

Let’s wrap up by reading Psalm 100, written (and probably sung) by King David who loved to give thanks, praise, and worship to God. These words are as true today as the day he wrote them, reminding us of Who we give our thanks to today – and every day!

“A psalm. For giving grateful praise.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.

For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.“

RESET HIGHER: As the holiday season begins, what can you share this year?