Fireworks

I love a great fireworks display. Watching the explosion of sounds, the cocktail of colors and intricate patterns of light against the night-time sky delights me.

Fireworks are beautiful but brief. They are visible one moment and gone the next. The delight quickly passes.

This is the month to celebrate Thanksgiving. It's that time when we have a national holiday to give thanks to God for who he is, for his goodness and faithfulness, for his bountiful provision. We have one day a year set aside to do this.

Lord, may my giving thanks to you not be like fireworks . . . relegated to one day a year with an explosion of gratefulness and a colorful, delicious turkey feast with friends and family and a nice church service where thanks are offered to you. That's all good . . . but it becomes very sad, downright inappropriate, if that's the only time I have a heart overflowing with gratitude. When I consider who you are, your ways and what you've done in my life, the hope and joy you've given, may I realize you deserve a constant posture of thanks from me. May I render that thanks every day of my life. Amen.