One of our children’s songs that we sing on Tuesday mornings at Chapel Time is this: “Don’t Be a Turkey, Just Say Thanks” by Yancy. We have fun with this as the children do the flopping turkey wings and dance around to the lyrics. There are many reasons not to be a turkey, with the main one being that you get to keep your head on Thanksgiving.

But there are many more reasons not to be a turkey, and just say thanks, relating to the story of the ten lepers who received healing and only one came back to say thank you to Jesus. Likely I would have been counted in the nine who moved on so excited, relieved, and joyous to once again be counted as a human being and rejoining my family and friends. Therefore, I’m not going to beat up those nine who were healed and moved on to living, rather I want to remind us that God has saved, healed and restored all of us to life!

Children are typically reminded by parents and teachers to always speak two phrases: please and thank you. Let’s set aside please, because it is typically spoken for something we want and maybe do not always need. However, thank you shows our gratification for what has been provided for us. For instance, when we pause at a meal and say a prayer which is often giving thanks for the meal that has been provided, do we realize the many people that God used in giving us this meal, such as the farmers, delivery people, processors, storekeepers, and cooks who prepared the meal? No. Most often we just say thank you for this food.

Many people like to take each day of November and remember one thing each day to be thankful. This is a good idea….but when we are thankful do we pause and give thanks for the hand that provided it? What follows is a listing of Psalms that you can look at to remind you of praise and thanksgiving:

Psalm 44:8 Psalm 107:8-9 Psalm 69:30

Psalm 105:1-3 Psalm 95: 1-2 Psalm 138: 1-2

Psalm 106:7 Psalm 100:4 Psalm 136:1

Psalm 56:12 Psalm 118:19 Psalm 7:17

Psalm 86:12 Psalm 75:1 Psalm 9:1

Psalm 116:17 Psalm 34: 1-3

There are seventeen of these Psalms, and you may be able to find even more if you look. Your thanksgiving and praise may not always be for the “happiest” times of your life, but always remember that God gives you life now and eternal. No matter what happens, always be thankful for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

“Don’t be a turkey, just say thanks!”

Pastor Greg