http://ericcarroll.org/logs/gratitude The taxonomy view with a depth of 0. en http://ericcarroll.org/logs/who-are-you-giving-thanks-to <p>I was watching TV while washing some dishes tonight and I noticed the St. Jude commercials where Marlo Thomas says, "Give thanks for the healthy kids in your life, and give to those who are not."</p> <p>I've always thought that was a great slogan and thoughtfully done, but tonight the question came to mind: <strong><em>"But who are they giving thanks to?"</em></strong> I've heard a lot of PSA's (Public Service Announcements) and commercials that talk about giving thanks, but when you think about it, doesn't it seem odd that they never say <strong>who</strong> we're supposed to give thanks to?</p> <p><!--break--></p> <p>Some might say, "Well, I'm thankful for my husband/wife and children and I tell them I'm thankful for them." That's great, but <strong>who</strong> gave them to you? My wife would think I was crazy... well, <em>crazier</em>, if didn't thank her for the gift she gave me, but spoke to the gift and told it I was thankful for it and left it at that.</p> <p>I'm not saying it's wrong to tell people you are thankful for them, but it certinly seems incomplete. If you are going to acknowledge that you were given something wonderful in life doesn't it seem reasonable that someone carefully planned and <em>gave it/them to you at the exact moment you needed it/them?</em></p> <p>Here are some of my favorite Bible passages to consider:</p> <p><strong>Jeremiah 29:11-13:</strong> "¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. ¹² Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."</p> <p><strong>John 3:16-18:</strong> ¹⁶ “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. ¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God."</p> <p><strong>Psalm 9:1:</strong>"I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds."</p> <h3>So I ask again, who are you giving thanks to?</h3> http://ericcarroll.org/logs/who-are-you-giving-thanks-to#comments Christ God Gratitude Thanksgiving Sat, 19 Dec 2009 22:15:54 -0600 eric 3216 at http://ericcarroll.org