It is Thanksgiving in Canada! To many of us, this time of season every year is solely a long weekend where we can take a break from school or work. To some of us, it is a day of turkey and pumpkin pie. However. amidst the definition of “Thanksgiving” being a public holiday, there is a much deeper meaning that would consequently let us realize and spend this day in and joyful and thankful manner.

Let us dive directly into the word “Thanksgiving”. One can notice that it basically means “giving thanks”. What are we to give thanks for once a year at this time? Back in the old days, this day was celebrated by farmers who harvest their crops and give thanks to having the harvest. First of all, we have to give thanks for being able to live on this world. We should give thanks to the oxygen we breathe each day and the and water and food that we eat which keeps us healthy. Of course we cannot take food and water for granted because there are many out there that are struggling to receive these bare necessities.

In Canada, we also give thanks to the free society we live in where we are free to do many things such as voice our own opinion, elect our own government, have our own home and go to church freely everyday. There are also many that do not have these privileges that we have taken for granted every single day we are living in the civilized world.

Hold on! Wait a minute! Does this mean that the people who live in areas where every single thing mentioned above is lacking should not give thanks?

There are many people who are living malnutritioned not having the bare necessities that we take for granted everyday under a corrupt society that even persecutes them for their beliefs. Does this mean they should not be giving any thanks? If you think that way, you are absolutely wrong because many of these individuals are giving thanks every single day. But for what?

They are all giving thanks because they are living in the presence of the Lord. They may be struggling every single day to make ends meet and worshiping secretly to avoid persecution and are at the risk of being tossed around by a corrupt government but it is in those situations when they realize that having the Lord in presence is more than enough. The Lord provides to the needy at a completely different level. These people may not have enough to physically eat but they are well fed every single day spiritually by our Lord. They may have an infinite amount of earthly items to worry about but it doesn’t matter because they know that the word of God tells them that the Lord loves them more than the birds in the sky who do not reap or store away in barns yet our Heavenly Father feeds them (Matthew 6:25-34).

Now look back at yourself. We are in such luxury that we take everything for granted and may dwell on the smallest matter and feel a grudge against God while we are called to rejoice in all trials and temptations (James 1:2-7). Jesus has died on the cross for us and knowing we are loved by God who has such sacrificial love should be enough for us to be constantly thankful in whatever situation we face in our lives.