I know that just about everyone will be posting well wishes and statements of thanks on all the social media today, and possibly either be calling or be called by, loved ones from around the world. Families will gather together to give a Prayer of Thanks for their blessings, and proceed to gorge themselves on a sumptuous repast, unbutton their top button, watch football and take a well-deserved nap. But I wonder, if you could only give Thanks for one or two blessings, what would they be?
Most people would top their list by being thankful for their family and/or friends. Maybe they would follow with gratitude for the freedoms that they enjoy, being blessed to be an American, the knowledge of a True and Loving God to whom they can give Thanks, the food on their table, the list could and does go on almost forever. And sometimes, so does the Prayer, or at least that may be how it seems, to an empty and growly stomach that has been tempted and tortured for hours prior to the feast. I'm sure that at least two of these will sound familiar to everyone. But remember that you are, for the sake of this exercise, limited to two. Now it becomes a little more difficult, and thought-provoking. If this were an "official rule" for Thanksgiving, how much thought and introspection would take place before the prayer? Thankfully, there is no such rule. I do know some families that ask each person around the table to relate something that they are grateful for, prior to "The Prayer". Responses can vary from "my new puppy" to "Johnny came home safe from the Middle East" to "I'm grateful for the ultimate sacrifices of far too many of our troops fighting to secure and protect our freedoms." All are from the heart, and most spur thoughts of understanding and sometimes,"Gee, I wish I'd said that. Mine sounded kinda dumb compared to that." Don't worry. God hears and answers all prayers. What would my two "choices" be?
My first would be that of most people, a blanket statement of Thanks for my Family and Friends and the ability, right, and privilege to assemble together for fellowship around a table piled high with food. But what of my second one? Many things come to mind, but which one to pick? The mere fact that I am offering a prayer of thanks indicates my belief in a Higher Power, a Supreme Being, or (in my case) the existence of the aforementioned True and Loving Heavenly Father. So that part is a foregone conclusion, and need not be counted as "one of my two". Gee, there are so many things to be thankful for. But I know what My Second would be. It would be Knowledge. Not just my knowledge, which is limited, though contantly being added to, but the pure Existence of, and Quest for, Knowledge. The Glory Of God IS Intelligence. And, since it is my "rule" we're playing by, I get to expand upon it. I'm grateful for Science and Mathematics, for without those constants, the quest would falter. Without them, we would have no Technology. And yes, Technology is a two-edged sword. It is Technology that allows us to perform all manner of tasks. From driving to the store for more cranberry sauce, to delivering lethal payloads to our "enemies". From the manufacture and distilling of gasoline to put in the car to go get the cranberry sauce, to the explosives being delivered by airplanes, ground vehicles, and computers. For the concept of flight, which allows us to bring Aunt Bertha from Maine so she can eat Thanksgiving dinner with us. For electricity to power our lives, our homes, our work. All technology is like "the Force", or a "superpower". It can be used for Good, and for Evil as well. The computer on which so many of us now rely can be used to destroy lives or livelihoods, as well as pay bills and send messages almost instantaneously. The aircrafts and cars and trains and ships can deliver Death, as well as: Joy, for Aunt Bertha's safe and speedy trip; Hope, by delivering needed medicines or getting someone to a hospital in time; Peace, because Dad made it back from the War or that Bible you ordered finally came in the mail. The list could go on and on.
So I am thankful for Knowledge, and by virtue of that, for Technology. I believe that all technology is a gift from God, as a means of furthering Knowledge of Him. The telephone - a means of communicating His message. Radio lets us hear about His Works, besides our rock-n-roll or the news. Television and Movies allow us to see whatever we desire, but was allowed to be developed for the Furthering of His Word. Satellite Communication, cell phones, computers. . .same reasons. That airplane that brought Aunt Bertha can also deliver missionaries and doctors and messengers to all parts of the world. Yes, most (or all) technology can be used for Good or Evil. I believe that it was allowed to be developed for Good. The decisions on how to best utilize it are ours.
Have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving.
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