GIVE THANKS

In every thing give thanks:
for this is the will of God
in Christ Jesus concerning
you.
I Thessalonians 5:18

A flood of memories rush through our minds when we think of Thanksgiving day. The older we are, the more the memories. For the most part, especially for we girls, the thing that comes to mind past or present is food. On that day, growing up for my family was having dinner around noon and then going to our high school Homecoming football game. I think it was the routine of most folks in our small town.

All of my Thanksgivings weren't that routine. I was in fifth grade, my Dad was in the hospital and the day before Thanksgiving, our cupboards were as bare as I had ever seen them. Mother and I knew the problem, but neither of us could say anything. About 10:00 the night before, someone knocked heavily on our front door. Mother called from the back bedroom and said that she would answer the door. She turned on the porch light, opened the door and there on our porch swing were two big boxes of food. Mother had been very private about our circumstances and I know I hadn't told anyone, but there it was. There was everything there for our Thanksgiving dinner the next day and more to do for some days after. I don't think a Thanksgiving passes but what I picture those two boxes sitting on our porch swing, Mother looked teary and I was so very happy with our mysterious bounty. I had just accepted Jesus as my Savior a couple of weeks prior to that evening. I just felt the Lord had given me a special present.

I'm afraid we mostly think of food on Thanksgiving, but are encouraged to think about God's blessings in our lives, especially from the previous year. Brian and I went shopping Friday in preparation for the special day when one of our children will be here. For some of the time I sat in the car while Brian finished up some things and I enjoyed watching many, many people coming and going from the grocery store. I love people watching most any time, but I couldn't help but wonder what their holiday would be like. Would it all be just eating or do people ever give a thought to God's blessings in their lives.

Sitting in the car with my notebook, I started to list some things I know I'm so grateful for that I've probably already thanked the Lord for. What I noticed is that we always seem to think about the really big things and take for granted the smaller things that mean more to us than we even think about. I also felt convicted that I shouldn't have to think of things of gratitude at this time of year when God is just so good to me every day of the year.

For instance, when thinking about little things but really they're not, I first thought of water. It comes into my house through various faucets. I drink it, cook with it, take a bath in it, clean with it, wash clothes in it and thought of some other things. I turn it on without a thought that it might not come through into a sink. My mind went to pictures of folks around the world drinking from muddy pits, no fresh water available. Water...just a simple thing but more than simple, it's God's provision.

I've thought of some other things I take for granted that are important and my list grew writing down simpler things of life I'm so grateful for. Some bigger things that came to my mind among which are people who have meant so much to me this past year. I've had some friends who have gone to Heaven...people who may not know the influence they have been in my life. I've thought of our three children who God is blessing in so many ways and what a joy it is just observing them. Another special blessing is our church staff that works so hard not just on Sunday's, but every day of every week ministering to our church family. I can't thank them enough, but can thank God for each one and their families.

What I'm saying is that perhaps we should get practical this year. God knows our hearts and already knows the blessings He has brought to our lives, but big or small, I think He would appreciate a hearty “THANK YOU FATHER.”

O come, let us sing unto the Lord:
let us make a joyful noise to the
rock of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence
with thanksgiving, and make a
joyful noise unto him with psalms.
Psalms 95:1,2

PS: We never knew who brought those boxes, but to this day, I still feel grateful for those boxes and those who secretly brought them on a cold November night.

Thank You Father for Your goodness in our lives every day. You bless us with not just big things but the small things that add warm touches to our lives. You gave Your best when You gave us Jesus Who means more to us than anything we could think of. Thank You for giving us so much, but mostly Your love. In Jesus' precious name....Amen