Give thanks, rather than focusing on problems

By Guest Columnist Jehu Brabham

     A blessed and happy Thanksgiving and holiday greeting to all my Clinton friends.  I look forward each year to having the opportunity to share some Thanksgiving thoughts with my Clinton friends. More importantly, it gives me opportunity to be reminded of all the blessings my awesome God gives to me.

     If you watch the television news and talk show programs, read Facebook, Twitter and other social media outlets, you might notice that the focus of our conversations around the coffee break room at work, in the check-out line at the grocery store, at various social functions, and even at church is the plethora of problems we battle each day.

     My suggestion today is for Christians to is look beyond all our problems and take time to notice of two of my favorite Bible verses. 1 Thessalonians 5:18, which reads, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  Another Bible verse about giving thanks is Psalm 28:7, which says, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Almighty God.”

     I try to start each day sitting on my deck, soaking up the beauty of a Mississippi sunrise, listening to the melodious singing of the birds and, most of all, sharing my heart and soul to Almighty God with, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” I love, adore and thank you, Almighty God, for all your blessings and benefits.

     What are some blessings and benefits we can surely thank God for?

     Thank God for His love.

     Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable, unconditional, undeserved gift of love. When we look in the mirror every day ,our hearts should sing, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!” Those magnificent words make me lift my hands in a thanksgiving hallelujah.  Yes, God loved you when you didn’t love Him. God chose you because of His grace and mercy. God sent His only Son Jesus to die on the cross and triumph over death, the grave and evil, so that we might have eternal life. Have you thanked the Lord lately for the work He has done within you?

     Thank God for blessing and benefits seen in His creation.

     Recently, there was a majestic, full moon. I walked outside to get some pictures, and, along with the beautiful moon, billions of bright stars filled the night sky. I remember a science teacher telling me in class one day that astronomers had counted well over 1,000,000,000 stairs. God created these beautiful stars, and they have a reason for existing, just as God created you and me. We have a reason for living. When was the last time you thanked God for the majesty seen in God’s creation?

     Thank God for benefits and blessings of sight, hearing, tasting, touching and smelling.

     When was the last time you thanked God for sight? What a blessing to view the sun rise or set. The beauty of the flowers, trees, and, yes, even storms that pass by. Think of the blessings of hearing, the beautiful music of a singer’s voice, the sounds of birds singing, and even my melodious sounds in the shower!

     Thank God for America.

     Starting a very young age, I had intense feelings of gratitude for America. I remember standing each morning at school and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.  All through life, my commitment to God has been that I would fight to the end to keep this land free from foes who would want to take away America’s joy of living in this good land. On behalf of our children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and future generations, I hope you will join me in never forgetting our love for America.

     Closing today, I want to thank God for my wife, children and family. Without them, I could not experience the joy in life that I do. I don’t say “thank you” often enough – perhaps none of us do – but I am thankful for the wonderful people in my life. To my family, a heartfelt thank you and I love you to my wife Cheryl, sons Grant and Cole, daughters-in-law Anna and Catherine, grandsons Kaden and Knox, granddaughter Caroline, Mama Bryant, Cindi and Ricky Brown, Caren and Gary Taylor, Whitney and Gray Williams, Sadie and Mac, Hannah and Chase Williams and Charlie.

     I pray you will join me in living the truth of Psalm 138:1, “I will give thanks with all my heart,” and make this a meaningful Thanksgiving and joyful holiday season.

     Happy Thanksgiving, and a joyful holiday season!