thanksgiving

i believe the true measure of thankfulness is how you handle the gifts you receive

return it to the store the next morning - unthankful
put it in the orphanage clothing drive - unthankful
toss it into the abyss of your car trunk - unthankful

if you don't wear it - if you don't play with it - if you don't hang it on your bedroom wall - if you don't use it as the giver intended it be used you aren't really thankful for the gift - you had rather have something else

you can ooh and aah all you want - you can fool your grandma into believing you actually like her taste in clothing for you - you can say thank you and i appreciate you all day long - that doesn't prove you're thankful

you can sway to the latest praise & worship song - you can fool your worship leader into believing you like her taste in music - you can say thank you and i appreciate you all day long to God - but that doesn't prove you're thankful

use my yardstick above - whether you agree with it or not - humor me - just for a moment - measure your thankfulness based on whether you handle God's gifts as He intended

your financial blessings - your friendships & relationships - your time - your family - grace

when we use His gifts to us as He intended we honor Him - treasuring the relationships He has blessed us with - selflessly loving our families He has given us - investing the time He has given us in worthwhile ways and in others - valuing His grace instead of taking it for granted - not hoarding but sharing our financial blessings with others - especially those less blessed than we are

now that's true thankfulness