Give Thanks

Psalm 136

On this day set aside for the specific purpose to thank Almighty God for His sovereign providence in our nation (see George Washington's 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation) it is appropriate to reflect on His grace and goodness for allowing us to live in this glorious experiment in liberty and to realize that our place here in this great nation is not a right, but it is a sacred honor and trust. In these uncertain times filled with economic upheaval, foreign policy fears and moral crisis on every hand, there is peace in knowing that no matter the conflict and turmoil that surrounds us, our God is in control (Psalm 73:26). We may not understand His reasons behind them, but we must remember that if we did understand all of His ways, then WE would be God! (This is what drives the new atheists crazy. They have this misguided notion that somehow if there is a God, he has to live up to their standard! But I digress.)

We have so much for which to be thankful. The fact that God has given us life in the first place is enough to praise and thank Him forever. Even as simple as the air we breathe, the food we eat, our families, our friends, our churches, any good things that come into our lives are reasons to give all of our praise and adoration to our Almighty God. So it is especially gratifying when I am reminded of these things in peculiar ways.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge fan of 70’s and 80’s light rock music. Bands like Toto, Chicago, Journey, and the Doobie Brothers are a staple of what I listen to on my iPod. Thanks to Netflix, I have been able to watch and enjoy several music concerts and music video collections on DVD, including concerts by Chicago, Earth Wind & Fire, Toto, Michael McDonald, & Kenny Loggins and found this is a great way to rediscover what it was that drew to their music in the first place. As a musician myself, the whole process of creating music is fascinating to me. I have spent countless hours critically listening to and deconstructing songs that I want to learn in order to assist in creating my own music. So when I find someone who clearly has a remarkable gift, I love to sit back and enjoy the results.

Lately, I have been listening a lot to the Eagles and have especially been admiring the way that Don Henley can craft a lyric. Don wrote one of my top 5 rock songs of all time in “Boys of Summer” and so when I saw his “Inside Job, Live” DVD on Netflix, I put it in my queue. Having thoroughly enjoyed the Eagles “Farewell Tour I, Live in Melbourne,” I was really looking forward to this concert. Toward the end of the DVD, Don did a song off of his Inside Job” CD (which at that time I had not heard yet, even though it came out in 2000. I’m just a little slow, but that’s beside the point!) that really took me by surprise. The song is called, “My Thanksgiving.” The title really intrigued me and I began listening. Here are the lyrics:

Well a lot of things have happened since the last time we spoke

Some of them are funny some of them ain’t no joke

And I trust you will forgive me if I lay it on the line

I always thought you were a friend of mine

And sometimes I think about you

And I wonder how you’re doing now

And what you’re going through

‘Cause the last time I saw you we were playing with fire

We were loaded with passion and a burning desire

For every breath, for every day of living

This is my thanksgiving

Now the trouble with you and me, my friend is the trouble with this nation

Too many blessings, too little appreciation

And I know that kind of notion well, it just ain’t cool

So send me back to Sunday School

Because I’m tired of waiting for reason to arrive

It’s too long we’ve been living these unexamined lives

I’ve got great expectations I’ve got family and friends

I’ve got satisfying work I’ve got a back that bends

For every breath, for every day of living

This is my thanksgiving

And have you noticed that an angry man can only get so far

Until he reconciles the way he thinks things ought to be with the way things are

Here in this fragmented world, I still believe

In learning how to give love, and how to receive it

And I would not be among those who abuse this privilege

Sometimes you get the best light from a burning bridge

And I don’t mind saying that I still love it all

I wallowed in the springtime now I’m welcoming the fall

For every moment of joy every hour of fear

For every winding road that brought me here

For every breath, for every day of living

This is my thanksgiving

For everyone who helped me start

And for everything that broke my heart

For every breath, for every day of living

This is my thanksgiving”