Thanks for Everything
When our children were little, I bought a set of books that told the story of how God made various foods we enjoy: How God Gives Us Apples, How God Gives Us Ice Cream, How God Gives Us Peanut Butter, How God Give Us Popcorn, How God Gives Us Bread, and, perhaps the best one of all, How God Gives Us Chocolate. Ummm…
Everyone enjoying a traditional Thanksgiving menu today is a recipient of many gifts from the hand of our loving Father. We are also the recipients of the work of many hands even before the food arrived in our stores, restaurants, or kitchens.
Thank You, Father, for the mama turkey who laid the egg that became my turkey.
Thank You for the cranberry farmer who harvested these cranberries out of the bog.
Thank You for the farmer who dug these sweet potatoes.
Thank You for the farm equipment dealer who took out a loan to stock his store so that the corn farmer could purchase a harvester to harvest the corn that is in my dressing and thank You for Mama Sue who gave me the recipe.
Thank You, Father, for the sunshine and rain that made the wheat grow for these pretty rolls on my table.
Thank You for the pumpkin vine that produced the pumpkin in my pumpkin pie.
Many times when someone has been especially helpful to us, we say, “Thanks for everything!” With our heavenly Father, that is completely appropriate: “Thank you, Father, literally, for everything.”
Before many meals through the years, I have heard people ask my preacher husband, “Ray, will you return thanks for us?” Returning thanks—that is exactly the way to think about it. Today we rejoice as we return thanks all day long in everything.
Rejoice always,
pray without ceasing,
in everything give thanks;
for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18