According to the web site teachingaboutreligion.org, 76 percent of the United States population claims to be Christian. I am not going to get caught up in what the test of that is but I do want to point out one of the markers of a Christian, “thankfulness.”

Jeff Tomson is the pastor at Living Faith Church in Flora. We celebrate Thanksgiving historically and traditionally to give thanks to God for what we have received in the past year. Those that initially started the tradition gave thanks that they were still alive in a new rugged land. They knew they were more than lucky to have survived; they knew that the hand of God had been on them in that previous year. Today, I am afraid that the only thing we are thankful for is a long weekend, football, black Friday and maybe being with family.

That may seem cynical but let us think about what being thankful really means. In Colossians 3:15-17 we are given instruction on living in peace and thankfulness is part of that equation.

Think about if you are thankful you do not think that you deserve more, in fact, you know that what you have is a gift not something that you should rightfully have. If we do not think that we deserve more, then we are satisfied and there is no reason to be in conflict to get more.

Another thing about thankfulness is that if you are singing songs of thanks and focusing on receiving a gift, then it is hard to dwell on the negative things that have happened to you. That leaves no room for hate, revenge, envy, or lust; all things that lead to strife.

Thankfulness leads to Peace, not just in our actions but in our hearts. I know that this year there is uncertainty and worry about the war, economy and the state of health care. However, the question is what have you been given?

The best gift of all is eternal life. We neither deserve it nor can do anything to earn it. If we are thankful for it and focus on that what do we have to be angry, envious or fight about?

Now back to that 76 percent, do you think that our nation reflects a thankful Christian population or one that is dominated by Sunday morning attendance and Friday night cravings?

Blessings for a Peaceful and Thankful Holiday season.