Cal Thomas: Thankful to whom and for what?
In a thought-provoking commentary, Cal Thomas critiques the evolving nature of gratitude in American society, particularly in the context of Thanksgiving and the language we use to express appreciation. He notes a troubling trend where responses to simple expressions of thanks have shifted from the traditional “you’re welcome” to the more casual “no problem.” This change raises questions about the underlying meaning of gratitude in contemporary interactions. Thomas argues that such phrases imply that the act of service or kindness is an inconvenience rather than a gift, prompting a reflection on what it truly means to be thankful.
Thomas further delves into Thanksgiving’s historical significance, tracing its roots back to the Pilgrims, who expressed gratitude to God despite their hardships. He highlights President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 proclamation that established Thanksgiving as a national holiday, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and being thankful for the blessings bestowed upon the nation, even amidst turmoil, such as the Civil War. Lincoln’s call for humility and penitence resonates today, as Thomas challenges readers to consider whether modern society still acknowledges God as the source of its blessings or if it has become overly focused on consumerism, particularly with the early onset of Christmas marketing overshadowing Thanksgiving. He laments that the holiday has devolved into a mere prelude to the commercial frenzy of Christmas, urging a return to the core values of gratitude and reflection that Thanksgiving was originally meant to embody.
In a broader context, Thomas invites readers to contemplate their own expressions of thankfulness and the societal shift away from sincere acknowledgment of blessings. He suggests that as families gather this Thanksgiving, they should not only celebrate abundance but also engage in introspection and repentance for national sins, drawing parallels to biblical teachings on humility and mercy. By reintroducing these traditional values at the Thanksgiving table, Thomas advocates for a deeper, more meaningful observance of the holiday, reminding us that gratitude should be rooted in an awareness of the divine. As we prepare for the festivities, he urges us to consider adding a “heaping serving of humble pie” to our Thanksgiving menu, fostering a spirit of genuine thankfulness and reflection.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewmefM76XfU
Among my growing list of improper uses of the English language is the response I get when telling a restaurant server or anyone else “thank you.” The usual response has been for as long as I remember, “you’re welcome.” For the young, especially, it has become “no problem.”
Why would thanking someone for a service or kindness performed be considered a problem? What does that even mean?
Thanksgiving, which mythically began when the Pilgrims and early settlers thanked God for His “many blessings,” despite their difficult circumstances, is now a small bump in the road on the way to the annual conspicuous consumption called Christmas. The airlines are thankful because of heavy travel that leads to large profits. Thanksgiving, as well as approaching Christmas, have lost their unique status – at least among secularist marketers – and have now been blended into “the holidays.” That’s a problem.
There once was a time – and I still remember it – when most of the Christmas rush began after Thanksgiving. Now we have Black Friday beginning in some TV ads before Halloween. Thanksgiving has taken a back seat to Christmas commercialism. It is now a one-day stuffing, not just of the turkey, but of ourselves, plus a couple of football games.
While the early settlers and Pilgrims were known for thanking God for His blessings, it wasn’t until 1863 that President Abraham Lincoln established Thanksgiving as a national holiday. In his
proclamation
declaring the last Thursday in November a day of thanksgiving, Lincoln said this about the blessings Americans had received:
“To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature that they cannot fail to penetrate and even soften the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.”
The proclamation was issued after the Battle of Gettysburg, a bloody conflict in the Civil War, a war which was still not over. If a nation in the midst of such a great internal struggle could find things to be thankful for, what about us? In our rush to consume, do we any longer regard God as the source of our undeserved blessings?
Something even more profound came later in the proclamation. Speaking to his fellow citizens, Lincoln wrote:
“I recommend to them that, while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience.”
When was the last time you heard a national leader recommend penitence? The scriptures are clear … nothing gets God’s attention quite like repentance. It is then His mercy flows. When he first ran for president in 2016, I asked Donald Trump if he had ever felt the need to ask for forgiveness, or repent. He said “No. Perhaps someday I will.”
God once said for the sake of 10 righteous people He would not destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Like the people in those ancient cities, we have many sins for which we should repent. I’m not exactly sure how God will respond as His people pray – seeking His forgiveness for our national sins. But I do know that it is an appropriate attitude as we gather, and a long-standing tradition to reintroduce around our table.
Perhaps a heaping serving of humble pie should also be on today’s Thanksgiving menu.
Readers may email Cal Thomas at
tcaeditors@tribpub.com
. Look for Cal Thomas’ latest book “A Watchman in the Night: What I’ve Seen Over 50 Years Reporting on America” (HumanixBooks).
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering General news.
