Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17, N.I.V.)

Enter his gates with Thanksgiving and his courts with praise; giving thanks to him and praise his name. (Psalm 100:4, N.I.V.)

…always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:19-20, N.I.V.)

Here’s a good word that appeared in an issue of Pulpit Helps several years ago. The writer is William O. Vickery.

For Americans, there is a tradition of observing Thanksgiving Day each November. It is recognized as a national holiday and happily so. But one wonders if it were not a holiday, would there be any giving of thanks? That is the question that each person must answer for himself, just as each person will determine how he will express his thanks – by saying it, giving it, or living it.

Saying thanks is good; it is mannerly, tactful and serves as a lubricant to overcome friction. Giving thanks is better; it penetrates superficiality and allows for deeply-felt expressions to pass from one person to another. More of the whole person is exercised in giving thanks than in saying it. Living thanks is best. It transcends superficiality and exceeds spontaneity. It abides within the inner man as a continuing resource contributing to the development of character, shaping of lifestyle, and building of personal relationship with God, family, fellow Christians, and friends.

Vickery’s point is that we all need to take the focus off Thanksgiving and put it onto Thanksliving. While there’s nothing wrong with setting aside one day a year and calling it “Thanksgiving,” if we have to have turkey, pumpkin pie, and football games to cause us to pause and give thanks, we’re missing the point the rest of the year. Thankfulness should naturally pour out of us every day, all year, like water naturally pours over Niagara Falls, and everyone can find something for which to be thankful. Truth be told, most of us can find a long, long list of such things. That’s why ingratitude is one of the ugliest characteristics a person can show, and it’s also why being thankful should be a lifestyle we live as opposed to a day we observe.