Thanksgiving, Part 1 – Perspective
“I cried because I had no shoes, then I met a man who had no feet.” Mahatma Gandhi.
This is a matter of perspective. As Americans, we are constantly bombarded with media, advertising, images that tell us what we’re missing. We should be … going on that cruise vacation, buying that new car, splurging on the diamond ring, buying that new handbag, purchasing those high-heeled shoes, and don’t forget the latest phone. Advertising is aimed at making us feel inadequate, incomplete, and outdated. So when we look in our closets, instead of being thankful for all the clothes, coats, shoes, and boots we own, we feel the need to get the latest fashion, or a newer pair of shoes.
How can we cultivate an attitude of thankfulness, so that instead of acquiescing to our consumerist culture, we are thankful that we have more than one pair of shoes and sweaters to choose between? I admit it’s not easy. Yet we are to be “in the world” but not “of the world.” Here are a few helpful (I hope) steps to help us cultivate that thankful spirit.
Step 1 – avoid the comparison trap. Americans tend to compare themselves to those who have more than they do, I have noticed. It’s the competitive spirit attached to the consumer mentality gone wild. For instance, maybe one’s neighbor has an Audi, a bigger house, more bathrooms, and a gardener. If one looks at that, one is likely to feel disgruntled, inadequate, and unthankful. If we compare ourselves to anyone, it’s healthier (I have found) to compare myself to someone who has less than I do — the homeless woman I gave a dollar to this morning, the orphan girls who live at Mukti, the families crossing the border to reach the U.S. If I look at their lives, I have no choice but to thank and praise God for all He’s given me, and consequently share out of my abundance with those who are less fortunate.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
Step 2 – rehearse the goodness of God in my life, or as the song goes “Count Your Blessings.” If I am praising God and counting my blessings, I don’t have the time, nor the energy, to harbor an ungrateful and unthankful heart.
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
Step 3 – allow God to change our perspective. Shift our focus from our own needs and wants to the needs of others. Let’s use our resources to bless others, instead of accumulating more “stuff” to fill our already full closets. Shift our focus from what we don’t have, to what we do have — both physical and spiritual resources in abundance.
This is a daily struggle, but God wants us to change our perspective, and He will enable us to do it, to honor Him and live as thankful people.
Amen, amen, amen, Katie. You are right; we get bombarded “what we need/want”. That is why I have stayed off social media for a while (and honestly don’t have time anyway).
Yes, Iris. Social media is good for keeping in touch, but not so great for many other reasons. We need to constantly bring our focus back to what’s important. I’m taking responsibility for changing my perspective.
Katie, what great points you have shared. With Thansgiving upon us, no better time to put these into practice.
My hurricane repairs are finished,but there is still great need in the Florida panhandle. Peop!e who lived on the margin before last October are still suffering. Hundreds of rental properties were destroyed, and the new ones will be unaffordable for minimum wage workers. Those who were living in substandard housing before are either in tents, trailers or doubling up with family. It’s going to take years. Please pray for wisdom in government and charity to best meet these needs. We are grateful for what has been done. The need for mental health care and foster families has multiplied. I am so blessed at my house,but others are not.