Giving thanks

constitutes exercise. There's no way thanksgiving comes passively. It

takes effort. For a "thanksgiving" transaction to take place,

two agents are required: one to deliver the thanks and one to receive

the thanks.

Sometimes I

cringe when I hear people so, "well, I'm just thankful." Thankful

to whom, I want to ask. So, as we turn over tomorrow to Thanksgiving 2000,

let's make every attempt to get our thanksgiving right and directed.

After the whole

family sits down for the turkey, dressing, and pumpkin pie, it would entirely

appropriate to take the Family Bible and read Psalm 100, emphasizing verse

five, "For the Lord is good: his lovingkindness is everlasting, and

his faithfulness to all generations." Since the Lord has been so

good to you and your family over the year, tell him how grateful you are.

Let everybody around the table tell God why each one is thankful. The

turkey and dressing will stay warm. Tell him and thank him. Any descent

father that I know loves to hear his children express gratitude to him.

Remember, a transaction has to take place: not "we are so thankful"

but, "Lord, we thank you...

But there are

others with whom we should transact some thanksgiving. Like, your parents.

My wife, Mary Ann, and I continue to enjoy her parents, both reaching

the big 80 mark. I've been around to celebrate about 26 of those birthdays

and I know John and Mary Ann and Anna are truly grateful to Howard and

Christine Blackburn. They have always been there for us. I shall give

them my thanksgiving as we gather Thursday night for a Kentucky Thanksgiving

with oyster souffle, funky Kentucky ham, and my mother-in-love's delicious

fruit pies. Indeed, a Norman Rockwell night.

So, teens and

adults, take a moment to give thanks deliberately, intentionally, directlyfacing

them, holding their hand, looking into their eyes. It may not be a Kodak

moment, but it will be a moment remembered by both. I shall never forget

my daughter standing up at our church's Thanksgiving Dinner to say, "Because

of my Dad, I feel like the luckiest kid alive." Wow!

Parents, what's

keeping you from taking a few minutes and square off with you children

to say some words of loving gratitude. Your kids may have a stroke, but

do it anyway. I truly believe that if we parents would thank more, we

just might have to rebuke less.

Of course,

we men need to express heartfelt appreciation to our wives. How about,

"Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all" (Proverbs

31:29). That's how I feel about my Mary Ann and I will tell her just that.

But let me

close by expressing my gratitude to The Citizen's publisher, Cal Beverly.

Thank you, Cal, for giving me the weekly opportunity to speak to a wider

congregation than just my church. You bless me by giving me this privilege.

Also, thank you for being a pro-church advocate, for giving the church

lots of space without having to pay for every column inch. I just wish

the AJC would learn from your example. On behalf of all the church community,

I thank you for caring for us and putting it in black and white and sometimes

color.

Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor

of River's Edge

Community Church in Fayetteville.

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