THANKSGIVING IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. Well, actually, the attitude of gratitude is much more than a “once a year” observance. Most of us already know that if we live a life of thankfulness, we will be healthier and happier because of it. This is especially true when we remember that this virtue is not the result of outward circumstances, but of the realization that God’s love flows to us, no matter what.

In 1636, amid the darkness of the Thirty Years’ War, a German pastor, Martin Rinkart, is said to have buried 5,000 of his parishioners in one year! That’s an average of 15 a day. You see, his parish was ravaged by war, disease, death, and economic disaster.

In the midst of all that darkness, with the cries of fear and pain outside his window, Pastor Rinkart sat down and wrote this table grace for his children, which was later put to music and sung by countless millions over the generations to follow:

Now thank we all our God
With heart and hands and voices;
Who wondrous things hath done,
In whom his world rejoices.
Who, from our mother’s arms,
Hath led us on our way
With countless gifts of love
And still is ours today.

Here was a man who knew that a thankful attitude comes the realization that God’s love is real, lasting, and constantly available. No amount of suffering can blot out that truth.

Apparently, Rev. Rinkart had adopted the same way of thinking that consumed Habakkuk in 3: 17,18: “Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”