It is Thanksgiving today, time to thank God for all things good in our lives. Most times, it is the easiest of prayers, isn’t it? For our beautiful mountains, an unexpected rainbow, a waterfall tucked away off the road.
The Bible teaches us to give thanks. In Psalm 9:1 “I will give thanks to you Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of your wonderful deeds.”
But it is not always so easy. You had a bad day, the car needs a repair, the pet you love is ill and the vet can’t seem to fix it. It is times like these that it’s even more important to give thanks.
In Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
It’s all in perspective and attitude. I had a long day in my job as a photojournalist this week. After being sent to south Denver to investigate protestors at a mosque (they weren’t there), I was then sent back to Ft. Collins where there had been a stabbing. I was irritable and crabby when I arrived, and let the police on scene know it. One made the comment, “Well, you could be dead”. Taken aback, I didn’t know how to respond.
It was only 10 minutes later I found out the person stabbed had died.
I worked the scene trying to get images in the black of a light rain that began to fall, still thinking about what the officer had said. I had just about given up to go home to my wife, who by now was in bed, when I noticed a woman smoking a cigarette. We spoke, and she directed me to a young man named Jeremy who had heard the loud argument that preceded the stabbing.
He told me of the man who intervened, trying to stop a bad situation from getting worse. He paid the ultimate price with his life. He told me how he works in a local hospital, and so when the man who did the stabbing backed off, he rushed over to render aid to the dying man, his hands covered in blood.
Perspective. By now I was completely thankful and amazed at the bravery of a young man who tried to help in a situation that many of us would not.
I went home with a little bit different attitude that night.
Friends, it is Thanksgiving today, but as Christians it really is Thanksgiving every day, isn’t it? There really is SO MUCH to be thankful for! You might have to look a little harder sometimes, but I believe God has his hand in all things, even when there is evil involved.
It is up to us to take notice . . . and to give thanks for good people like Jeremy. God bless.

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