Give Thanks

"in everything give thanks;

 for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."  

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Giving and Thanks

I love my Bon Appetit magazine that comes monthly!  In the November 2014 issue it has this whole (awesome) section about “Giving & Thanking”.  I thought about those words.  How many times do we “do” the whole “Thanksgiving” thing but in the rush and perfection of it all miss out on giving and thanking.  It is God who GAVE and it is us who should be THANKING.  Yes, we may pray before the big meal but what’s the conversation like afterwards? 

“Come and see the works of God; He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men.  He turned the sea into dry land; They went through the river on foot.  There we will rejoice in Him.” Psalm 66: 5-6

Maybe take a few minutes today to go through your Bible and write or print out some Scripture to read at the table to encourage your guests to thank God.  Give them verses that will help them remember to thank Him for things He has gotten them through this year; for providing; for guiding; for new birth; even for breath itself, and so on. 

“Sing out the honor of His name; Make His praise glorious.  …  Oh, bless our God, you peoples! And make the voice of His praise to be heard.” Psalm 66:2, 8

Even if someone is going through something that has not yet been resolved.  Certainly God hears us (Read Psalm 66:16-20).

Lord, please help us encourage others to slow down and thank You.  Thank You that Your banner over us is love.

Give Thanks

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  -- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV

I’m thankful to God for my mom.  She is…amazing.  Other words that describe her are: SELF-LESS, servant, caring, tenderhearted, courageous, motivated, sweet, patient, confident, loyal, organized, ready, and yes, thankful.  This month on her birthday she found out that her brother passed away.  She amazed me because she was thankful it was on her birthday and not the next day which was her brother’s son’s birthday.  –how thoughtful.  A couple days later she flew from FL to NY to attend the funeral then took a couple days to visit with good friends she hadn’t seen in a while.  She was a blessing to them, a blessing to our family, and a sweet smelling aroma to God (I’m sure). 

Are you thankful for anyone?  Maybe your mom would be blessed to hear you say “Thanks for all you do, mom!”  Actually, the other day our 3 ½ year old Matthew ran into the room where I was working on the computer and with a huge smile belted out, “Thanks for all you do mom!”  And then in his cuteness came back and said it again.  I sat there with my mouth open in awe! 

(I printed off a bunch of Thanks-giving verse cards that I found at http://joyfulthriftyhome.com/.)

Let’s give thanks to our Father in heaven.  Maybe you’d like to print off those verses that talk about being thankful too.  To God be the glory!  Isn’t that what the first Thanksgiving was all about anyway – being thankful to God for providing, protecting, guiding and dying on the cross for our sins?!