The Skyliner

Issue date: 11/15/06 Section: Opinion

Kaelyn Pfenning

While some families prepare feasts and invite relatives to join them, a number of people also decorate with pumpkins and various food items. Many people even recognize the pilgrim heritage of Thanksgiving and remember the reason behind it. However, most people, including myself, forget to remain thankful all year round. One day the importance of giving God our thanks and praise dawned on me. I recorded that experience on Jan. 18, 2003.

For a while, I searched for a way to grow close to God. I would read my Bible and talk to Him, but I still didn't have that intimate relationship I wanted. I went to retreats and while I was there I felt close to God. I wanted to keep that feeling, but it never seemed to work. After a week or so it would fade, and I'd be back to my 'dull' routine. Then one day after a retreat I wrote in my journal praising and thanking Him. It was awesome. I found this indescribable peace. I had uncovered the secret to the heart of God. I gave God the glory and realized His authority and my own wickedness, and I gained that intimacy I longed for. The key is to realize His place and all He's done, and our shamefulness and let him work. I admit it feels like it is starting to wear down.

In fact, just yesterday I was getting depressed when I went to a concert and realized once more God's place and again I feel his peace. Intimacy with God is a continual recognition of who He is and what he did for you.

When I applied thankfulness and gratefulness to my life, I experienced God's presence and recognized His work in my life. Nonetheless, the novelty faded, and I continually neglect to thank God and praise Him. Occasionally, I notice an answer to prayer and offer a quick "thank you," but I tend to overlook all the small blessings that work together to create a good day such as a timely word of encouragement. When I regularly thank God, peace reigns in my life, but when I forget, turmoil sneaks in and grips my heart. In order to maintain God's peace in our lives, we need to constantly glorify and thank God. Next time you feel oppressed or overwhelmed, thank God for all He has done.

One year, I wrote down 590 different things, people, places and ideas for which I was thankful. Many of those items came from being very specific in my thanksgiving. I mentioned things such as fingers and toes. I challenge all of you who are reading this to beat that number. As we finish this semester, let's not only make a long list at Thanksgiving, but also try to thank God for at least one thing each day. Let's make thanking and praising God a habit. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

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