Whatever Happened To Thanksgiving?

*Several years ago, a family traveled out east to spend Thanksgiving with their relatives. On the way, their car began giving them trouble. Fortunately they found a gas station open where a mechanic was on duty. But he didn't have the parts to make the necessary repairs, so they were delayed until he could locate them. They finally arrived late at night at the home where their loved ones were waiting anxiously. But their troubles weren't over. 
By morning most of them had the flu. When the time came to return home, they still weren't feeling well...to make matters worse, abut halfway home the baby also became ill. Worn out, discouraged, they continued on in silence. Then one of the children in the back seat piped up, "Hey, whatever happened to Thanksgiving? That is the way we sometimes react to adversities. When all is well, and all things are going our way, It's easy to praise the Lord. But when our plans are disrupted, bills pile up, our health fails, or disappointments come, thankfulness disappears. It's easy to allow problems and difficulties to crowd our thinking and emotions, and as a result we slip into discouragement and degrees of deep depression. (*Radio Bible Class/Our Daily Bread)

The Apostle Paul says to the Christians at Thessalonica (and us)
"in everything we are to give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thess. 5:18) 

THE EXTENT OF THANKSGIVING (V.18a)
 "In everything we are to give thanks..." 

THE EXPECTATION OF THANKSGIVING (V.18b)
 "For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 

Give me a spirit of thankfulness, 
Lord For numberless blessings given, 
Blessings that daily come to me 
Like dewdrops falling from heaven. --Dawe