DR. FRENCH O'SHIELDS Observe Thanksgiving this year?

I would not be shocked if someone suggested we skip Thanksgiving this year. If so, I do not know it. I am far from suggesting it.

For sure we are not in the best of times. Unemployment, home foreclosures, personal bankruptcies and business failures, including banks, surpass any time since the Great Depression 80 years ago.

Our country faces international and domestic issues that threaten our very existence. A global enemy, who believes they are doing their god a favor and themselves an honor, publicly proclaims their intent and plan to kill Americans and Jews and anyone who does not adhere to their religious beliefs.

Very brave military men and women risk their lives to protect our individual freedoms that make our nation unique and great. While at home these freedoms are being rapidly eroded by some elected officials in Washington more devoted to self and party than our country. The engine that appears to run the voting in Congress on policies is not what the majority of citizens want or what is best for the country, but insuring themselves victory in the next election.

A citizenry, once the “land of the free and the home of the brave” is moving more toward appeasement rather than willingness to fight, entitlements rather than freedoms and a national debt that will enslave current and future generations of Americans.

No, for sure, these are not the best of times. Neither are they as bad as they could be or may become. Hopefully, they have not reached the point of no return. If the majority of Americans wake up, comprehend what is happening to our country and are willing to meet the challenges, we can still reclaim the America our founding fathers envisioned and the one that characterizes our past.

As for our observing Thanksgiving this year — most certainly we should!!!

We need to be reminded America’s first Day of Giving Thanks to God by the Pilgrims was not in the best of times. They had survived a treacherous sailing voyage under trying conditions and outbreaks of diseases that took the lives of many of their loved ones. They found themselves in a new land, full of promise but extremely challenging just to survive, demanding hard labor without entitlements but with an undaunted faith and trust in their God.

Their thoughts and attitude did not focus on self-pity or their difficult lot, but on their deep heartfelt gratitude to their God. They were thankful not only for what He had done for them, but also for His being and His attributes of unwavering love, kindness, mercy, and amazing grace — unmerited, undeserving, amazing favor.

The giving of thanks is not only a heart attitude, but needs to be overtly expressed to be complete. Overtly express it to God, loved ones and friends through whom God has enriched your life.

You may wish to do so by:

— Attending a Thanksgiving service of worship to proclaim and witness to your gratitude to God.

— When your family gathers, share with each other the things for which you are grateful and thank them for their unique part in them.

— Either by visit, card, or telephone, thank special friends God used to enrich your life.

— Invite a family, who cannot buy their own turkey, to your home to share yours.

— Give to charitable organizations who are devoted to provide those in need a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

In the midst of all the activities of the Day of Thanksgiving, carve out some alone time — time by yourself alone to reflect and pray. Realize that whether it is for you “bad times” or “good times,” you do have TIME; you are alive, and there is much for which you can to be thankful — things that you want that a gracious God has provided for you, and the things you do not want that a caring protective God has prevented you from experiencing.

Observe Thanksgiving? For sure.

Enjoy this great holiday.

Above all else, to do so pleases God, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thess. 5:18).”

Bottom line: For each of us, giving thanks is really not a choice or option. It is a privilege and responsibility.

Doing so makes glad the heart of God. And guess what?

It will do wonders for your heart also!!

(Dr. French O’Shields is a Gaffney native and a retired Presbyterian minister.)