Are we Truly Thankful or just saying Thanks?  

By Shanieka Smith

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, November 30, 2021 – “God has given to us much: beaches, sun, rain, food, freedom. But we have become so used to them, we take them for granted, and we forget to make use – good use, to what God has given us,” said the new rector of the St. Monica’s Anglican Church, Reverend Father Lynden Douglas.

In an address to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands at the National Day of Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service, Rev’d Douglas shared a message from Luke 17 verses 11 to 19, with an emphasis on verse 15.

The bible lesson spoke to ten lepers who had asked Jesus for healing. After Jesus instructed them, one of the nine men, who perceived he was healed, went back to thank the Lord. The message Rev’d Douglas focused on was that only one of all the men healed expressed thanks.

In his address, he emphasised the concept of gratitude and thanksgiving. He said many have thanksgiving voices but not thanksgiving hearts. Rev’d Douglas asked, “are we among those who pray or give thanks for our meals, and shortly after we say amen, we say everything that is wrong with our meal?”

He referred to the effects of the COVID-19 virus: quarantine, closure of churches, beaches, and the illness itself. By referring to these, he compared pre-Covid attitudes when some things were taken for granted, and there were complaints than thanksgiving. “We have gotten so used to the stars that we have lost wonder for God’s handiwork,” he said.

In a similar way, he referred to how people are during and after hurricane seasons. He said that people express thanks after the season has passed but complain about damages that have happened. “Ingratitude and thanklessness seem to be rather a common human problem,” he added.

Rev’d Douglas said that among all, Christians should be the most grateful because regardless of daily obstacles, God has given “the most wonderful gift – his son, Jesus Christ.”

Relating to a question asked by Jesus in the bible lesson, he said, “I wonder if Jesus was to look into our churches and our communities today if he would be asking us … Where are those whom I have showered my blessings on every day? Where are those who have prayed for a miracle, have asked their pastors and fellow church people to pray for them, and when they have received, where are those?” He added that people feel entitled to God’s blessing. Hence, the expression of forgetfulness and ingratitude.

In the same service, the Premier, Hon. Washington Misick, made a remark encouraging the people to be thankful. He said, “I think we have enjoyed prosperity, we have enjoyed peace and continue to do so. It’s not perfect by any stretch of the imagination; we strive, we argue, we fight. But generally speaking, this is a beautiful country that God has blessed us with, and I think it is only appropriate that we acknowledge that.”

He added that even as stewards of the earth, the people of TCI are stewards of the county. Meanwhile, Rev’d Douglas asked, “are we looking after being good stewards of the nature of this beautiful country that God has given us or are we too taking it for granted?”

The National Day of Thanksgiving is a public holiday in Turks and Caicos, declared in 2014. This Thanksgiving Service was held at the Church of St. Monica on Friday, November 26. Members of the church, the government and clergy were in attendance.