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Happy Thanksgiving, Portland!




Tim Colovos

Tim Colovos

The statement, “The days are long, but the years are quick” is so very true. It seems like our stomachs have just now digested the turkey and dressing from 2021 and now, Thanksgiving 2022 is already here! As most would probably agree, time seems to grow faster and faster each and every year.

Thanksgiving for most is a joyous time of year but for some it is a time of great turmoil and struggle. Perhaps this Thanksgiving you will have an empty chair at your table; not fun and certainly not easy! However, we all can agree that regardless of your life circumstances that the Lord has blessed you beyond measure. In fact, the Bible says in James 1:17 that any gift (blessing) that you have that you consider good, comes from the Lord.

Whether we find ourselves behind the eight ball of life or on top of the world, God is still the one whom supplies our blessings and it is because of these blessings that we can celebrate Thanksgiving.

All of us are proud Americans but let’s make a confession; Thanksgiving is not about Turkey, it’s not about watching the Detroit Lions lose (again), its not about having your cousins and family over for fun. Thanksgiving has always been about recognizing that the blessings that you have been given in your life is a gift that has been given by our Heavenly Father.

Often we “Americanize” many things, including holidays. Let us keep our focus on the One who gives us cause to celebrate our blessings – the Lord Jesus Christ.

How can Thanksgiving be different for you this year? Typically, we all have our Thanksgiving routines. Certainly nothing wrong with that. These routines (traditions!) can prove to be very beneficial. I remember growing up that we were only allowed to eat a very small breakfast and that at 3:30 p.m. we would arrive at my aunt and uncle’s home. The 30 minutes from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. seemed like an eternity. The dinner bell would always ring at 4 p.m. and then the feasting would begin. Precious memories. However, what could each of us do this Thanksgiving to add to these fun and rich traditions?

Perhaps your day is filled with family and food (that’s great!) but perhaps your day on Thanksgiving doesn’t include communicating your many blessings that God has given you. I challenge each of us that sometime between the sweet potato bite and the ham/turkey bite that you verbalize to your dinner guest of how the Lord has proved to be faithful to you this year. That one statement may cause an avalanche of statements from your dinner guests talking about their blessings as well. The enemy (Satan) would rather we just gobble down our meal and watch the football game cross-eyed, trying not to fall asleep. However, the Lord, the giver of these blessings that we are grateful for, would be pleased if we shared with those around us the many blessings that He has bestowed upon us.

Let’s enjoy this Holy word from scripture: Psalm 9:1 “I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.”

As followers of Christ, we know this verse to be true. Although we should live by this verse every day, is there a better day in our 365-day calendar than Thanksgiving Day to have this verse manifest itself out of our lives? Let us be the people that give praise to the Lord (If Christians do not give praise to the Lord, who will?). This Thanksgiving, take a breather from the gravy and tell(share) the marvelous things that God has done for you!

Portland, you are loved. There are many wonderful church families in this community. I encourage you to find a church that loves Jesus, preaches Jesus and shares Jesus!

Happy Thanksgiving!

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