Don't Let the Grinch Steal Thanksgiving
Why genuine gratitude begins with contentment.
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by Greg Asimakoupoulos
November 25, 2004
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Don't Let the Grinch Steal Thanksgiving_Greg Asimakoupoulos-Why genuine gratitude begins with contentment
In Whoville the Grinch was quite greedy and mean.
The envy within him caused him to turn green.
Ungrateful and jealous, this monster-like grouch
spent Thanksgiving morning curled up on the couch.
No holiday baking. No holiday fun.
The number of chairs at his table was one.
It seemed that his appetite wasn’t for food.
He always was stuck in the stuff-buying mood.
“Why cook up a turkey?” He said to himself.
“I’d rather add stuff to what’s stuffed on my shelf.”
The stores were all closed for the Great Day of Thanks.
But that was no problem. The green prince of pranks
could shop by computer to his heart’s content.
And clicking his mouse, the Grinch spent and he spent.
The Great Day of Thanking went by really quick
and by spending and buying the Grinch got real sick.
But nobody knew it. And nobody cared.
For Grinches are selfish and Grinches don’t share.
And if you are wondering the point of this rhyme,
then keep reading on past the end of this line.
In the -ville we inhabit there isn’t a Grinch.
But sometimes we act just like him cause we’re rich.
We buy what we want without batting an eye.
We silence our kids’ “gotta-haves” when they cry.
We love to go shopping and spend major cash
while throwing away what’s still good with the trash.
We envy our neighbor’s new car and new boat
and find ourselves lusting to have her mink coat.
We want a new kitchen. New drapes would be fine.
And oh don’t we love how our hardwood floors shine?
We long for the latest. We crave what is new.
We’re not satisfied having one. We need two.
Two big screen TV sets. Two Lexus. Two homes.
There’s two spouses working to service the loans.
And though when we’re cut we bleed red not Grinch-green,
our selfish Grinch tendencies still can be seen.
Our hearts are thing-centered. They aren’t good at thanks.
They start to beat stronger at Best Buy and banks.
It’s hard to be grateful when there’s more to buy.
We can’t track our assets. In truth, we don’t try.
Instead we’re inclined to add up what we need.
First this and then that and then… Look at our greed!
And even on this day when turkey is king
we aren’t satisfied with a leg and a wing.
We need mashed potatoes. We need candied yams.
We need beans and biscuits plus two kinds of jams.
There’s tossed greens and Jell-o and cranberries too.
At least we are grateful we know how to chew.
But gratitude’s not way high up on our list.
We feel so entitled it tends to get missed.
But that is not all we ungrateful folk do.
There’s something that turns us a Grinch-greenish hue.
We rarely if ever say “I’m satisfied.”
And if we did say it, we most likely we lied.
If we are forever fixated on more,
we can’t be contented. Contentment’s a chore.
Contentment is foreign. Contentment ain’t fun.
And why should we settle when our dreams aren’t done?
Why settle indeed? Because deep in our soul
we feel something’s missing. It feels like a hole.
It’s really a hunger that’s long been ignored
by Grinch-like behavior that’s caused us to hoard.
But, hey, it’s Thanksgiving. The hungry are filled.
Let thirsts, dreams and longings be quenched met & stilled.
No turkey is needed. A ham will not do.
The feelings you long for hide deep within you.
Start counting your blessings. Look back, not ahead.
Be done being selfish. Be grateful instead.
Be grateful for fingers, for eyelids that close.
Be grateful that you can still smell with your nose.
Be grateful for legs that allow you to walk.
Give thanks that the tongue in your mouth lets you talk.
Give thanks for your children. Give thanks for your spouse.
Give thanks for your over-stuffed “imperfect” house.
Be done with Grinch yearnings. Let thanks fill your heart.
Acknowledge God’s goodness. That’s where it will start.
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| PO BOOKS BY GREG ASIMAKOUPOULOS |
Sunday Rhymes & Reasons
Published June 4, 2009
Sunday Rhymes and Reasons is a compilation of inspirational poetry by America's pastor/poet laureate, Greg Asimakoupoulos. In this, his third volume of poetry, Pastor Greg paints word pictures that portray both the struggle and fulfillment that define a life of faith. His repertoire of rhymes celebrate rite-of-passage occasions like birth, baptism, marriage and death as well as the major holidays of the church and culture. It is a volume that illustrates the poet's love of words and of popular culture. The author dips his brush into a paint box of hubris, humor and honesty.
"Gloria and I have been encouraged by word pictures from Greg's pen that have celebrated both our ministry and God's presence in our world." – Bill Gaither, Gospel music composer/performer
"Gifted poet Greg Asimakoupoulos is a dear friend of our family. His poetry blesses, comforts, entertains, and provides inspiration for every season of life." – Natalie Grant, singer/songwriter/recording artist
More Information
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Now Available!
Sunday Rhymes & Reasons, by Greg Asima- koupoulos.
Pastor Greg's latest volume of poetry paints word pictures that portray both the struggle and fulfillment that define a life of faith.
More Information.
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Victory at Sea
Recalling a symphony of peace sixty-five years ago
by Greg Asimakoupoulos, 9/2/10
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Katrina Remembered
Fifth anniversary reflections; PLUS, Sal Manila and His Thugs
by Greg Asimakoupoulos, 8/27/10
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Our Troops Are Headed Home
It's a cause for somber celebration; PLUS, Let's Hear It for Vacations
by Greg Asimakoupoulos, 8/20/10
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Going Postal on a Plane
Jet Blue's red-faced ex-employee; PLUS, A Requiem to the Murdered Aid Workers in Afghanistan
by Greg Asimakoupoulos, 8/13/10
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When Gay Rights Are Wrong!
Judging the judge's decision; PLUS, Lessons I Learned in High School
by Greg Asimakoupoulos, 8/6/10
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The Mother-of-the-Bride
What lessons can Hillary teach to Chelsea? PLUS: The Missing Kid with Missing Teeth
by Greg Asimakoupoulos, 7/30/10
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A Capitol Phenomenon
The Covenant Triennial turns heads in D.C.; PLUS, Transformed for Service
by Greg Asimakoupoulos, 7/23/10
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» Complete List (430)
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Victory at Sea
Recalling a symphony of peace sixty-five years ago
by Greg Asimakoupoulos, 9/2/10
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Christians: Tell Me How I'm Wrong
If the Christian ethic doesn't teach non-aggression, then what does it teach?
by James Leroy Wilson, 8/31/10
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Katrina Remembered
Fifth anniversary reflections; PLUS, Sal Manila and His Thugs
by Greg Asimakoupoulos, 8/27/10
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Classical Liberalism
It's time to bring back the ideology that drove human progress.
by James Leroy Wilson, 8/24/10
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Our Troops Are Headed Home
It's a cause for somber celebration; PLUS, Let's Hear It for Vacations
by Greg Asimakoupoulos, 8/20/10
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As in Heaven, So on Earth
The Lord's Prayer, again.
by Everett Wilson, 8/19/10
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The "Lack of Civility"
When the people protest against losing their rights, the Powerful complain about their bad manners.
by James Leroy Wilson, 8/17/10
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