Listen

Keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him, because the Lord your God is bringing you to a wonderful land, a land with streams of water, springs, and wells that gush up in the valleys and on the hills; a land of wheat and barley, vines, fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of olive oil and honey; a land where you will eat food without any shortage—you won’t lack a thing there—a land where stone is hard as iron and where you will mine copper from the hills. You will eat, you will be satisfied, and you will bless the Lord your God in the wonderful land that he’s given you.

Deuteronomy 8:6-10

Think

Have you ever stopped and looked around at the goodness that God has placed in your life? Not just a passing glance, but a real and thoughtful pause as you take in your surroundings? In the hustle and bustle of life it is easy to miss the abundance of God’s goodness.

The creation around you, the food that you eat each day, the people that have been placed in your life, your church family, or the cup of coffee in your hand. God has given each of us unique blessings upon our lives. It is our job to notice them, and give thanks to God for them.

By taking care of creation, telling a friend how much they are appreciated, thanking God before a meal, or making sure your coffee barista knows how amazing they are; you are doing your part to give thanks to the wonderful gifts given to you by God. The world will be a little bit brighter for us all if we all do our part to say “thank you”.

Sara Smith

Question to Ponder:

How will you give thanks to God this week for the blessings in your life?

Pray

Thank you, God, for all that you have given me.

Help me to be more present and notice the goodness that is around me.

Show me how I can be a blessing to others.

Amen.

Go

May the spirit of thanksgiving live within you,

not just during the season of thankfulness,

but from the time you rise in the morning

until the time you lay your head down at night.

May the name of the Lord be praised!