Giving Thanks

Today, let me lift my voice in thanks to God.

Thank you, Lord, that I am able to write these words and send them out electronically.

Thank you, Lord, that someone is reading these words.

Thank you for computers and electricity and the written word and teachers that taught us to read and write.

Thank you for the printing press and those dedicated souls who copied your word by hand.

Thank you, Lord, that you gave us your word in written form.

All scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16.

Thank you, Lord, for ample food easily available.

Thank you for the people who grew this food, raised these animals, ensured their quality, transported them, and kept them unspoiled for us.

Thank you for the generations before us who taught us how to prepare this food and gave us recipes to follow.

Thank you for the variety of tastes and flavors and combinations that your natural world provides for us.

Thank you for the different cultures who have influenced what we cook, how we cook, and how we eat our food.

Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God. Luke 13:29.

Thank you, Lord, that I am healthy enough to prepare this food and my family is healthy enough to join me.

Thank you for medicines that cure, medicines that treat, and medicines that prevent.

Thank you for the scientists and doctors who develop those medicines.

Thank you that they can be delivered to my door or picked up in minutes.

Thank you for doctors who have taken the time and energy to understand the human body and diseases and disorders.

Thank you for their teachers who have shared the knowledge gained from generations of people who cared enough to try to help those who were ill.

And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you? And the king will answer them, Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me. Matthew 25:39-40.

Thank you, Lord, that my family is able to join me in giving thanks to you.

Thank you for family.

Thank you for uniting these people born to different sets of parents into one family that could gather together to thank you.

Thank you for parents that love their children.

Thank you for children who care for their parents.

Thank you for the circumstances in life that brought us all to this table.

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

Thank you, Lord, for your earth around us.

Thank you for frosty nights and warm houses.

Thank you for leaves that turn red and brown, and, in the spring, green again.

Thank you for sunlit clouds and the radiant colors of sunrises and sunsets.

Thank you for flowers that bloom in the winter, bringing color to our world.

And one called to another and said, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.’ Isaiah 6:3.

Thank you, Lord, for this day set aside to give thanks.

Thank you for reminding us that we did not create this world; You did.

Thank you for reminding us that the sun, the rain, the ground, the plants, the animals, our bodies, our brains, whatever abilities we have, all are a gift from you.

Thank you for sending your Son to draw us closer to you.

Thank you for caring so much for us, for loving us even when we are unlovable.

Thank you for forgiving us, even though it cost so much.

Thank you for the opportunity to call you Lord and Father.

Praise the Lord, all you nations! Extol him, all you peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord! Psalm 117.

Betsy