FULL OF IT: The Art of Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving O Ye Chewers of the Cud.

In the words of my friend Ivette...my Cuban-American friend....FELIZ DAI DE ACIONDE GRACIAS...Happy Thanksgiving.

(Sung to the tune of Deck The Halls)
"Tis da season to pig out...gobble gobble gob..gob gob gob gob...people gather with their favorites...gobble gobble gob...gob gob gob gob..now we don our stretchy clothing... gobble gobble gob...gob gob gob gob...coma from a tryptophan overdose..GOBBLE GOBBLE GOB...GOB GOB GOB GOB.

Thanksgiving defined in its simplicity is...the giving of thanks. Every year... one time a week...we gather together with friends and family for a day of eating. Some may take time to reflect on what they are thankful for...but most...eat, drink, watch football, and unbutton their pants...and sleep.

NOTE: A combination of an amino acid...tryptophans (C11H12N2O2)... lots of food filled with carbohydrates and alcohol...lulls us into this wonderful state of suspended animation...aka...sleep.

A couple of definitions from a Hebrew and Greek perspective gives some insight into what TRUE THANKSGIVING should be like...not just one day a year...but 365 days a year.

PICTURE #1 is a Cajun injected, deep fried turkey at one of the previous gatherings at the Boyd Household. PICTURE #2 is Phil Keaggy from the What A Day album...with arms stretched out in joyous giving of thanks.

PICTURE #3 is me with my arms stretch out in Kenya with arms wide open in thanksgiving.

TODAH: (to-dow): An extension of the hand, adoration, specifically a choir of worshippers--confession (sacrifice of) praise, thanks (giving, offering)

EUCHARISTA (you-kar-is-tee-ah): gratitude, grateful language to God as an act of worship, thankfulness (FULL OF THANKS)

When you combine the Hebrew and the Greek meanings of thanksgiving... you have an extension of the hand and mouth with the language and action of worship...as you are FULL OF THANKS.

PICTURE #4 Delmar (in O Bother Where Art Thou)...as he comes out of the baptismal waters...and declares... "come on in boys...the water is fine."

The outstretched arms...the open hands...can be acts of surrender... acts of receiving...acts of throwing/tossing our offerings. When we are FULL OF IT...thanksgiving that is...to make room for more...we need to give out to God what we got. When we hold onto what we are thankful for...we may be FULL OF IT...but we must make room for more.

FINAL THOUGHTS...THANKFULLY FINAL

This Rambling has merely scratched the surface about thanksgiving...but this year...maybe we can use this ONE day out of 365 days...as a launching pad for BEING FULL OF THANKS...for the next 354 on a daily basis. If we would have THANKS on our lips...everyday...there may not be room for the negative stuff we throw out throughout the year.

"In EVERYTHING give THANKS...for this (the giving of thanks IN everything) is the will of God concerning you in Christ Jesus." (I Thessalonians 5:18)

"Finally, brethren...whatever is true..whatever is honorable...whatever is right...whatever is pure....whatever is lovely...whatever is of good repute/report...IF there is any excellence and IF anything worthy of praise, let/allow your ind to DWELL ON THESE THINGS (ruminate)." (Philippians 4:8)

"Where you're dwelling...will be telling." (Unknown)

"Unrestrained thoughts (what you think)...produces unrestrained words (what you say)... resulting in unrestrained actions (what you do)." (Unknown)

So...renew your mind with the Word...store thankfulness in your heart...stretch out your arms... open your mouth...and let the treasure of thankfulness flow.

Love and Very Thankful Kisses
Rodney "FULL OF IT" Boyd