Letter to the Editor: Hour of Thanksgiving

To the Editor:

Years ago, I heard a story of a little girl about five years old - an only child of wealthy parents. Before Christmas they asked her what she wanted and over time there was a list of 10 items.

Christmas morning, she came down the stairs and all of those gifts were wrapped and under the tree. Her parents sat on the couch watching her open them one by one. She’d unwrap it, look at it, and then set it aside. When she had unwrapped them all, she started to cry. Her father asked, “What’s wrong honey?” Through the sobbing she replied, “You forgot one”.

I’ve never forgotten that story. It really hit home because I find that I can be exactly like that with God. I seem to have no trouble bringing Him the list of things I want, but I’m not so good at thanking Him for everything He gives and has given to me and my family.

All through the Bible, unlike what the little girl did, we are told to be thankful and to praise God for what He gives us. Recently, I did a cursory check in a concordance and found over 50 Scripture references where God commands us to thank Him for what He has given or done for us. In Psalms 67 it even says that if we will praise Him that He, “…even our own God will bless us.”

My wife, Sheri, and I were talking about this. We talked about it with others we know. We all agreed that we don’t thank God enough.  So, a small group of us decided that we’d simply put together a time and place where anyone who wants to may come and share anything for which they are thankful.

Sunday, September 27, there will be what we are calling an “Hour of Thanksgiving” in the Waukon City Park. It will begin at 4 p.m. at the Jaycee Shelter near the ballpark. Please refer to the ad in this week’s newspaper for more information.

We hope that many people will come for this time of thanksgiving. Those that do will not only be saying thank you to God, but will be sharing with everyone there. Unlike the little girl’s words, their words of thanks will lift everyone up.

Bob Erickson
Waukon