As we enter the season of thanksgiving, Christians around the world are preparing to reflect on the goodness of God in their lives. The Salvation Army Chiwaridzo Corps recently launched its 2025 Thanksgiving Appeal.
In a heartfelt message, Major Florence Shayamano, Corps Officer, reminded the congregation that thanksgiving is not just a ritual, but a way of life. Quoting Psalm 50:14-15, she emphasized the importance of offering thanks to God, who is the giver of all good things.
“Is there a market where you can buy life? Can you purchase breath, health, or a single beat of your heart? No! yet we often forget to thank Him for this precious gift,” Major Shayamano asked. “We have life, we have health, we have families, and we have jobs but do we remember to thank the giver of all these blessings?”
As the great Christian leader, Charles Spurgeon, once said, “The thankful heart has a perpetual summer.” Let us cultivate a spirit of gratitude, not just during the thanksgiving season, but every day. Let us remember the words of 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
The message was clear: gratitude is not just a feeling, but a choice. It’s a choice to recognize God’s presence in our lives, to acknowledge His blessings, and to respond with thanksgiving.
As Christians, we are called to live a life of gratitude, not just during the thanksgiving season, but every day. We are reminded that even in difficult seasons, God’s faithfulness remains evident. “You may say, ‘I have nothing,’ but if you are alive, that alone is a gift that money cannot buy,” Major Shayamano said.
Let us heed the words of Mother Teresa, who said, “We cannot give thanks enough for the gift of life, for the chance to live it to the full.” Let us return to God with grateful hearts, and let our lives be a testament to His love and goodness.
May this season of thanksgiving be a time of reflection, gratitude, and renewal for all Christians. May we be reminded of God’s presence in our lives, and may our hearts be filled with thanksgiving and praise.
