Thanks

The Bible, in the book of 1st Thessalonians, chapter 5, gives us encouragement regarding a proper attitude that we can reflect, regardless of a pandemic, civil unrest, or an election season and its 
aftermath. We find some helpful principles here:
16 Rejoice always,
17 pray without ceasing,
18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

In everything.  In everything - we can be thankful.  Even when we encounter disappointment and seeming defeat, we can recognize who God is and what He has done and is doing in our lives. We can give Him thanks in everything because we are confident that He is truly in everything. Our trials can be a source or irritation, but adopting a thankful attitude that God is walking with us and He is in the midst of doing a work in us can help us keep the right perspective.  And, remember to rejoice and pray.

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What is Thanksgiving going to look like for you this year?  It may be a bit different regarding those traditional family gatherings.  For the believer, this is what thanksgiving looks like, according to 
Ephesians 5:
2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;
4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

We are just over a week away from the celebration known as Thanksgiving Day - and I would project that many families are planning to spend the day in a different manner than before.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published a list of suggestions regarding Thanksgiving in light of the coronavirus.  I say suggestions, in contrast to mandates that we have seen from some government officials, who are attempting to mandate how Thanksgiving is to be commemorated.

You have probably heard of some of the restrictions that were announced several weeks ago by California Governor Gavin Newsom; New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has also enacted a set of rules dictating how you are to spend Thanksgiving.  Recently, Washington Governor Jay Inslee, according to Fox Business, is "cracking down on indoor gatherings ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, noting that gathering with those outside your home will be banned unless everyone involved quarantines for two weeks and tests negative for the virus."  This does not sound like mere suggestions. Governor Gretchen Whitmer in Michigan has issued sweeping regulations for next three weeks, including, according to Fox Business, "Gatherings inside homes will...be limited to two households at a time under the new order. Health officials strongly urge familes [sic] to pick a single other household to interact with over the next three weeks."  Both of these states have issued sweeping new regulations on indoor gatherings, including indoor dining. 

And, Disrn.com reports that:

Former Vice President Joe Biden advised Americans on Monday to limit their Thanksgiving celebrations to "five people, maximum 10 people" who wear masks and practice social distancing.

The report also says that Mr. Biden related that "the people who attend should be people who have been in quarantine, and that the recommendations he mentioned had been conveyed to him by health officials. He added that he and his wife had decided to gather with people who 'were tested, recently tested within 24 hours.'"

Writing at CBN.com, Dan Andros says that "government officials who have grown comfortable making lifestyle recommendations issued some interesting thoughts ahead of Thanksgiving." He goes on to say:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a URL for “daily life coping” with the coronavirus, and with a major family-oriented holiday just around the corner, they apparently felt the need to instruct Americans on how to — and how not to — celebrate.

“Make your celebration safer” the post begins. “Bring your own food, drinks, plates, cups, and utensils” it continues. Of course, they urge people to wear masks and to “safely store your mask while eating and drinking.”

And, he points out:

They also urge people to use alternative methods to celebrate, like hosting a virtual dinner and “watching television” or “find a fun game” to play, rather than having people over.

At least these are not mandates.  And, the guidelines do offer these ideas which actually can provide some ministry focus:

• Safely prepare traditional dishes and deliver them to family and neighbors in a way that does not involve contact with others (for example, leave them on the porch).

And...

• Participate in a gratitude activity, like writing down things you are grateful for and sharing with your friends and family.

Thanksgiving Day will look different this year, thanks to COVID.  And, I want to stress that families need to make responsible choices about their celebrations.  But, our practice of thanksgiving as believers in Christ is something that should always be occurring.  

So, while there are many who will be canceling or rearranging Thanksgiving plans, we can certainly develop a perspective on gratitude, and how we can show gratitude to God by serving others, just as He served us by sending His only son to die.

We can certainly be responsible and be resourceful, but we can also check our attitude - even though there will be inconvenience, we can handle the change of plans gracefully and without toxicity.