The unexpected fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been a cause for great celebration for...
“After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10).
You might wonder why I shared this verse in preparation for celebrating Thanksgiving next week. Let me explain…
First, I’d like to share a little context regarding this passage. You see, somehow, despite all their material prosperity, the children of Israel failed to share with their kids the reason for all of their success.
With all the prosperity they were enjoying, they failed to instruct their children, and an entire generation grew up not knowing the LORD. It seems that in our current culture, perhaps the same is happening because we are not sharing the stories of our reliance upon God and His faithfulness to us as individuals, families, and a nation.
As you gather next week with your family and friends to feast upon the bounty of the harvest, may I suggest an activity to share before you leave the table? I have done this for years with my family. Each person, young and old, goes around the table and shares at least three things for which they are grateful. One of them has to have a relational connection and “why” this was important to them (and yes, my daughter and her cousins all moan in anticipation… but all are happy to have shared and heard the gratitude of others).
Be prepared to have some tissues handy. Hearing and expressing gratitude for each other can become a powerful bonding time and produce positive emotions. I rarely get through the Thanksgiving exercise myself without shedding a tear or two.
Please take this opportunity to express your gratitude for God’s faithfulness to you and your family so that another generation will not grow up and not know what the LORD has done.
May you have a blessed Thanksgiving,
John Frick
Vice President of Development, SAT-7 USA
In 2023, at least 82% of your gift went directly to fund programs building up women, children, and families across the Middle East. Functional expenses (all entities).
