Rejoice Evermore

In the spirit of Thanksgiving I wanted to momentarily reflect on the story I heard of one family’s holiday experience. During a family get together an argument broke out among some of the relatives, which led to people getting up from the table and leaving the dinner. Just a short time later more relatives cut out to due to Black Friday shopping.

For the record, I don’t have a problem with Black Friday shopping, but this year Thursday was the new Friday, with many stores opening in the late afternoon and early evening on Thanksgiving Day, opposed to the traditional midnight or early Friday deals.

What is sad about this is that we can no longer spend a day in the spirit of thanksgiving. Shouting and shopping separated this family when they would normally have been together.

As Christians we should be in the spirit of thanksgiving every day. Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica to “Rejoice evermore (I Thessalonians 5:16).” We have so much to be thankful for that this should be an easy task, and yet we seem to find little things that distract us from rejoicing. Too many Christians take Paul’s command to mean “rejoice nevermore.”

Don’t let anyone take your joy. Rejoice evermore. Now that Thanksgiving is over continue to rejoice and let your attitude of gratitude draw others to the One who has given us something to celebrate.