by Alan Shaw
I know it’s not Christmas yet and so quoting Scrooge is probably not what you’re expecting for a wellness blog title the day before Thanksgiving. I thought about trying to write the entire blog on the antithesis of “thanks”. I gathered my thoughts and heard some rain outside. “Perfect. It’s raining. It’s getting darker earlier and the cloud cover is making it earlier still. This is great ‘anti-thanks’ writing weather”. I thought I would soak it all in by stepping outside to see the rain for myself while thinking about any humbug-ery.
I found myself listening to the rain hit the leaves. There was no wind to speak of and so it was a slow, steady, almost calming type of rain that you hear on sound machines as you’re trying to sleep. It wasn’t cold outside, about 61°, and I just felt this sense of calm come over me. It was almost like God was trying to say, “Be Scrooge in your writing if you want, but I created this moment just for you. Enjoy it”.
I’ve learned to appreciate God’s creation all around me a lot more lately. I think it’s because after I left my government job to focus on Christian conciliation, I had more flexibility with my time and could appreciate the gifts of God. After all, driving 50 minutes to work, working all day long, another 50 minutes home, figuring out what was for dinner, working on my ministry responsibilities, spending time with my wife (and kids when they were still at home), and trying to fit in a workout (which always seemed to be the first thing to go) didn’t leave much time to appreciate God’s creation. Especially in the winter months when I left home before sunrise and returned after sunset. Don’t get me wrong. I was still thankful for the blessings of my life. I just never found the time to appreciate the blessings of my life and soon found myself thinking thoughts of “if I had only spent more time reading the Bible, or with my kids, or praying with my wife, or working out for my personal health”. Thoughts that made me feel guilty about how I chose to spend my time.
The great thing about a God who forgives me for not enjoying and appreciating His creation as often as I should is that He is the same God who forgives me for all my “if I had only” decisions I didn’t do. He’s the same God who continues to forgive me when I screw up today and will forgive me tomorrow as well. I’ve made many mistakes, but I am learning to appreciate who I am and what God has done for me.
You may still think “Bah, Humbug” this Thanksgiving holiday. I know because there will be a part of me who feels it too (like when it’s time for dishes and I have a good “food coma” working). But let us give thanks to God for who He is and what He’s done for us through Christ. Let us give thanks to God for His great mercy and steadfast love even when our situations make us want to say, “Bah, Humbug”. Giving thanks for all things plays an important part in your wellbeing and outlook on life. Use Thanksgiving as a built-in opportunity
“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rev Alan Shaw is an Assistant Pastor at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Cary, NC. He is a retired Army officer who serves as a resource for the SED and LCMS with Christian Conciliation training, workshops, and reconciliation cases. For questions about Christian conciliation, he can be reached at alan.shaw@rlcary.org.
