I will live for God and give thanks, just not today...

T’was the night before Thanksgiving and all through the town

Hams and turkeys cooked through the night ‘til they were all brown,

To be served the next day to family and friends

Who would gather and feast, and feast to no end.

There were casseroles and stuffing and oh so many pies,

To go with the rolls, biskets, and the occasional surprise

Some like their turkey browned on the outside but still moist inside,

But these days folks might just want to get them deep fried.

It is a day made for eating and watching football

By mid afternoon it feels like we ate it all

But there is more food for seconds and thirds and more

Got to rest up to head out to the stores.

From a full dining room table to lines circling the block

I must save that ten dollars on that Frozen Alarm Clock

Or is Ninja Turtles who are in this year?

Better get the right stuff and fast before it disappears.                     

Thanksgiving and Black Friday have merged into one

Food, food, and more food and shopping, some call that fun.

That fifty inch TV would look great in my home

Though really I watch most of my shows on my new phone.

And  all in a moment, the year turns into a blurr

Christmas comes upon us and we buy more stuff to serve

And then cry quite the river when the bills all come in

And swear to ourselves we will never do this again.

Serve the master of money, stuff, and credit card debt

We promise to live for God and not greed nor all we can get

But next year comes upon us and we are in the same boat

For we sought not the Lord nor the words that he spoke.

So we come upon another year without giving thanks

We don’t feel alone, there are many in our ranks

Who chose the world over God and like it that way

But we know full well that there will be a day…

A day of accounting, judgment, and all

We don’t want to think about it for there is surely a fall

In store for those who choose to rebel

Oh I can’t pray to God but I pray there’s no hell.

For I know that I have lived only for my selfish self

And have not loved God with my life or my wealth

These people they tell me to repent and believe

But I don’t want a God who comes before my TV…

And before my idols of football and fame

I want what I want and don’t want to believe on the Name

That is above all names and calls me again

There must be a catch, I feel safer in sin.

For there is a catch, but not what you think

It is a harvest of people that will come in a blink

Of the eye, yes in a moment, we all will be changed

Some relieved off all burdens and some who remain

Slave to sin and death and darkness and sorrow

They lived for themselves and saved naught for tomorrow

They stored their treasures in barns they would lose

Because it was greed and not God when it came time to choose.

This sadness and sorrow need not be the end of the line

For the One who made the heavens also made time

And in a single moment even in the worst strife

A few and simple words bring those who are dead into life.

Yes, your heart may be pumping and your blood is bright red

But without the Lord of Lords your body is already dead

For the King of kings came as a child and died on a cross

So that the worst among us would never be lost.

To Satan and sin and rebellion and death

As in the beginning, life comes in the Spirit’s breath.

We must die to this world and be born of God’s Spirit

Or this Kingdom of Heaven –we’ll never get near it.

This is a sad sort of thought on Thanksgiving Day

Why can’t I just eat and watch football and fall asleep as I may?

It is the God who made me and made me to live

Who is calling me to repent and believe and forgive.

And to do it today and not wait any longer

When I confess my own weakness he just makes me stronger

And in whatever state or circumstance I endure

I will learn to give thanks and be always thankful.

But I can’t do that now, Lord, though I  know that I should

I am so, so afraid that I will miss something good

I can’t put you first though I know it the right thing to do

But I can’t bear the words, “I never knew you.”

So just one more day or week or year’s all I ask

Of life without purpose or meaning while wearing this mask

That’s says I know what I am doing without this God stuff

Don’t mess with me now, my words might get gruff.

My heart it grows hard and it will be harder to break

Though many have tried, I am a very good fake

And so I spin the words of truth, love, and life.

And pray you don’t come like a thief in the night.

And pray you don’t come like a thief in the night.