Two little girls were acting very badly one day. They were misbehaving. It was Thanksgiving Day and their father told them, “Girls, go to your room. You are dismissed from Thanksgiving dinner.”

Sad and dejected, the girls went to their rooms. A few moments later, they heard their mother calling, “Girls, come down to dinner.”

A little baffled in light of what their father had said, they sheepishly walked down to the dinner table and sat down. But, they noticed something. Dad was not there. So, they naturally asked, “Mother, where is Dad?”

“Dad went to his room.”

“But why, mom?”

“Because Dad loves you so much. He couldn’t change his standard but he didn’t want to deny you dinner. So, Dad said he would go and pay the price so that you could come and eat the meal. While you enjoy the meal, remember that your dad has picked up the tab and is paying the penalty.”

Here in our text, the psalm writer shows us how important it is for us to be thankful every day of our lives. During the Thanksgiving holiday, we focused on our blessings and expressed our gratitude to God for them. But thanks should be on our lips every day. We can never say thank you enough to parents, friends, leaders and especially to God.

When thanksgiving becomes an integral part of your life, you will find that your attitude toward life will change. You will be come more positive, gracious, loving and humble.

My brothers and sisters, when you forget to say thanks for everything else, don’t forget to say thanks for Jesus.
Willie White is pastor of Greater Saint Matthew African Methodist Episcopal Church in Brantley.