Thankful for the ‘Gracious gifts of the most high God’

If you ask most people on the street what the word “thankful” means, they will probably give you a list of actions or words used to repay a person who has either given them something or treated them nicely. However, if you take a quick peek at the word “thankful” in Webster’s dictionary, you will likely discover some surprising aspects not only in the definition of the word “thankful” but in the list of synonyms as well.

According to Webster, thankfulness has more to do with our emotions and our feelings than our actual actions. The first definition says “conscious of benefit received.” So the first step to being thankful is acknowledging what you have received.

A list of synonyms includes the words blissful, delighted, happy, and joyful. Again, it seems to be more about our emotional response than our actions.

So then, the things that we are most thankful for are the things that make us happy or delighted and the things that give us joy. When approached from that aspect, each of us could rather easily rattle off a list of things that give us happiness, joy, and delight.

What that boils down to for me is the relationships I have in my life. The relationship I have with my daughters, with my wife, with my five older sisters and my older brother. That list would continue on with parents and extended family as well.

The relationship that has had the biggest impact in my life is the one I have with the creator of the universe. My personal relationship with the creator and savior of the universe has given me joy, peace, and happiness beyond anything I could ever measure. Because of that, I am very grateful and I always try to remember to give thanks.

That’s why Abraham Lincoln started a national holiday as a day set aside to give thanks for the “gracious gifts of the most high God.” Lincoln said we should bring our thanks to a new level and give our thanks with “one heart and with one voice by the whole American people.”

I’ve had the opportunity to travel to several countries and to observe and study different languages. I learned something while I was in Indonesia that made such a strong impact on me that it forever changed the way I think about the phrase “thank you.”

In Indonesia, they say the words “terima kasih” in the same way we say thank you in English, but a direct translation of that phrase in English would say “I receive your love.”

I think that’s the idea President Abraham Lincoln had in mind when he said we should set aside a day to give thanks to God for the many gracious gifts he gives to us so freely. We should acknowledge and receive his love for us.

That is why I give thanks. I have so many relationships in my life that bring me happiness, joy, and peace. I have relationships with my immediate family and with my extended family. Mostly, I give thanks because I have a personal relationship with the creator of the universe.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Gary Olson is the pastor of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oconto Falls