This Thanksgiving Devotional of mine posted to The Sage Forum last Friday. Here I include pictures of my uncle making himself useful, my father with my uncle in professional clothes but obviously busy with another work project, and my uncle and dear aunt. Fond, fond memories.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I’m watching the recorded, long-distance memorial service for one of my father’s younger brothers, who died last month at the age of 89. My uncle’s oldest son steps to the church podium and speaks about his father and the values he taught his children. 

“If people would just realize life is tough, it will start getting easier,” my cousin says, quoting his father. “If you have time to complain, you don’t have enough to do.” And if his children persisted, he’d say, “The complaint department is closed.” In fact, it never opened, my cousin says wryly. I smile at this memory of my no-nonsense uncle, whose family lived not far from us when my sisters and I were growing up. He was fun-loving, too, and competitive. “It’s not that I need to win,” he’d declare, “I just didn’t like to lose.”

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12-13

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without,” the second maxim my uncle lived by. I nod—yup, my family, too. My father and his siblings grew up on a small farm in far northern Maine, my father born third of ten, my uncle the ninth born in 1935 during the Depression. Though plenty came later, they worked hard, made do, and did without—without complaining.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

The third principle: “Whatever you do, make a difference. Deal with it—now— jump in with both feet, and be grateful. Every day, make yourself useful.” My cousin quoting his father, though he could have been quoting mine. Chores first, even when on vacation, play later. 

My uncle was an educator for forty-four years, a “warm demander” as an English teacher in a diverse, inner-city school then an administrator. In the evenings, he often attended school events, while his wife kept things smooth at home. But after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in her 50s, my uncle became a little lost. He admitted that sometimes he felt sorry for himself, because life wasn’t fair. On those days, he’d visit the special education classroom for severely disabled children and come away with a lighter heart, renewed spirit, and gratitude for the life he had. 

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 107:1

As the service draws to a close, I recall the Thanksgivings our two families spent together years ago. And how I am getting to know my uncle in ways I didn’t appreciate as a child. In ways his children didn’t appreciate then but eventually embraced and passed along to their children. 

Evangelist Chuck Swindoll said: “The longer I live the more convinced I become that life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how we respond to it… I believe the single most important decision I can make on a day-to-day basis is my choice of attitude.” 

This response? Simply, just as my uncle modeled, his practical wisdom found a wellspring in his determination to maintain an attitude of gratitude. It is a living legacy in the family.

Prayer: Dear Lord, on Thanksgiving and every day of our lives, may we rejoice always and thank You for giving us strength in all situations, peace, love, and wisdom to pass on to all generations.