12 pound turkey

I have a friend who is hosting Thanksgiving at her house this year. She is expecting 25 people. Some from the area and some from out of town. As with most families, everyone is bringing something to share the burden. One relative is coming from states away. She volunteered to provide the turkey. One of those prepared in advance, all you have to do is warm it and it is good to go. What a great way to contribute if you are coming from out of state.
The turkey arrived.
It was 12 pounds.
Everyone gets to have one bite.
In conversation with my friend, (who was more gracious about it than I) she lamented the fact that now she has to make an additional 18 pound turkey, when the idea was that she wouldn't have to make any turkey. While I was devising ways to make her relative feel bad, even though she was put out, my friend was concerned about the fact that undoubtedly, this relative was going to feel bad when she realized that not only did she not provide enough food for everyone, she also did not relieve any of the work. Her contribution was not really a help at all. As our conversation meandered on to other topics, occasionally she would pop out with, "12 pound turkey". Sometimes we call each other, say "12 pound turkey", and hang up. We are silly that way.

"Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever."

I didn't give a bible address for this passage because it appears exactly this way 8 times in the bible. "Give thanks" appears 25 times. "Thanksgiving" appears 25 times. "Giving thanks" shows up 7 times. I think you are picking up a theme.

It is Thanksgiving on Thursday.
Duh.
If you are not a Christian, what does it mean? Why do people bother to go out of their way to give thanks? Who are they thanking?
If you are a Christian, what does it mean? Are you thankful? Are you really thanking God this year? Are you dealing with a "12 pound turkey"?
What if you lost your job? What if a family member is very sick? What if you are very sick? What if your kids are driving you nuts? What if your mother-in-law is driving you nuts? What if your husband is driving you nuts? What if you are not satisfied with your life? What if you are dealing with the consequences of poor choices you've made? Even worse, what if you are dealing with the consequences of the poor choices someone else has made? What if your house burned down? What if a loved one has died? What if you are alone?
I could go on. It is always very easy to find reasons to complain or be dissatisfied, or disappointed.
The Bible tells us to give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever.
More specifically:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16Rejoice evermore.
17Pray without ceasing.
18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Verse 16 says rejoice evermore. That means never stop rejoicing. Ever. Verse 17 says pray without stopping. Verse 18 is the biggie. Give thanks in everything.
EVERYTHING.
Everything?
EVERYTHING. FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS CONCERNING YOU. Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever.
No matter what is happening, we are to be thankful because it is His will for us and his love endures forever.
So easy for me to type it. So much more difficult for me to live it.

I pray this year that your biggest problem is only a 12 pound turkey, although I know that's not the case. I know you are dealing with serious illness, tragic circumstance, and financial difficulty. Many of you have children who are still in another country, just like me. You have problem family members, uncertain employment, and problems I can't even imagine, but in Christ there is hope.
1 John 5:4
for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

Remember that to God, it's all just a 12 pound turkey.

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever.