Thanksgiving is a significant practice in the life of faith. The Scriptures teach us to “give thanks in all circumstances.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) First, we lift our praise to God. Because God loves us so, we offer our thanksgiving to God. Secondly, we give thanks for the many blessings in our lives. We have so much for which to be thankful. Family, friends, our homes, our work, are just a few examples of the blessings in our lives. The month of November is a wonderful time to be reminded of the practice of gratitude. Thanksgiving opens our minds and our hearts to a greater understanding of the blessings in our lives.
November is also a wonderful season for football. I love it when both the practice of Thanksgiving and my favorite sport of football come together. DeAndre Hopkins is a wonderful example of a football player who lives out a life of gratitude. DeAndre has had a successful career in the NFL. He currently plays wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans. He was first selected in the 2013 draft by the Houston Texans. DeAndre has made the Pro-Bowl 5 times and selected All-Pro 5 times, as well. In 2017 he led the NFL in touchdowns.
DeAndre Hopkins is a successful football player, by all accounts. He is also a faithful Christian and community leader. When he is not on the field of play, he is often working to help lift others out of their difficult circumstances. DeAndre supports his mother’s foundation. Sabrina Greenlee, DeAndre’s mother, created and runs the S.M.O.O.T.H foundation. This group is dedicated to helping victims of domestic violence. Sadly, Sabrina was a victim of violence. When DeAndre was young his mother was attacked, burned, and lost her sight.
Although Sabrina experienced terrible violence, she maintained a strong determination to take care of her children. DeAndre has never forgotten how hard his mother worked to provide for his family. He now helps to care for her. DeAndre expresses his gratitude towards his mother in every game he plays. Specifically, when he scores a touchdown, he finds his mother in the stands and gives her the ball. This is a beloved tradition and a wonderful way for DeAndre to express his love and appreciation for his mother. She may not be able to see his success on the field, but Sabrina shares in DeAndre’s joy each time he offers his gratitude.
Intentional acts of gratitude are an important part of our faith practice. When we express our gratitude, we remind ourselves of the blessings we have in life, and we share our joy with those who receive our gratitude. This is a season of thanksgiving. Who needs to receive your gratitude? How will you share it? We have so many blessings in our lives, let us give thanks.
– Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
