Give Thanks

The smell of freshly baked dinner rolls fills the air as they are carefully pulled out of the warm oven and placed on the table. This final item puts the finishing touch on the Thanksgiving meal. The table is now set and ready to be enjoyed, but first, let us give thanks.  

Each person takes a moment to share and give thanks. Each thought is unique and personal. This tapestry of gratitude continues to weave around the table and the person on your left concludes her thoughts. It’s now your turn. What will you thank God for?  

Thankfulness is one of the core principles that we teach and encourage others to express. Aside from learning how to share as a child, tell the truth, and show respect, thankfulness is something we experience in social settings. 

We learn early on the importance of saying thank you when receiving a gift or by recognizing the value of someone special in our life.  

Some learn about what giving thanks to God looks like at the dinner table as a family prays before their meal, thanking God for His provision. There is always something and or someone we can be thankful for in our lives.  

Giving thanks to God doesn’t just start and end on Thanksgiving Day. We can give thanks every day. We can have moments where we spend time with God and express thankfulness for the things He has done in our lives.  

I am thankful for having those experiences as a child of what a prayer of thankfulness looked like around the table each evening growing up with my family at dinner time. My parents were intentional in thanking God for His provision, for His protection, and for each person in our family seated at the table. Even when there were days that they were exhausted or were unsure of the future, despite it all, a prayer of thankfulness was still said. WOW!  

Looking back at those moments now as an adult with adult problems - can I get an amen? - I can understand that it is not always easy, but it’s possible to still give thanks no matter how I feel or what craziness is going on around me. Giving thanks is not about me. It’s about who God is and who He can be for me in each moment. God reminds us that He is the I AM – He is everything we need Him to be, and we get to share about His faithfulness to those around us.  

 I love what it says in Isaiah 38:19, 

“It is the living who give praise and thanks to You,  

as I do today; 
A father tells his sons about Your faithfulness.” 

Thankfulness is passed on from generation to generation. Being thankful for God’s faithfulness is not forgotten. Can I share some thoughts with you today about what I believe a thankful heart looks like?  

A thankful heart can still give thanks even when things aren’t going as planned or when life gets hard. A thankful heart can still give thanks despite the current circumstances. A thankful heart remembers the times of God’s faithfulness and provision. A thankful heart holds onto the promises of God and can give thanks because of hope. A thankful heart is secure even when things are insecure. A thankful heart gives thanks no matter what because God is good, and He will always be good. A thankful heart remembers that there is always something to be thankful for.  

If you have breath in your lungs today, you have life and that is something to be thankful for. The Bible reminds us that even before you were born God fashioned His plans and purpose for your life. In Isaiah 25:1 it says,  

“O Lord, You are my God; 
I will exalt You, I will praise and give thanks to Your name; 
For You have done miraculous things, 
Plans formed long, long ago, [fulfilled] with perfect faithfulness.”

God is faithful and because He is faithful, we can give thanks. I encourage you, the next time you are sitting at the table with friends or family, take time to give thanks and to share about God’s faithfulness. 

I’ve included a chapter from the book of Psalms to read at the table to encourage and remind you that His faithful love endures forever.  

Give thanks today for He is GOOD.  

Psalm 136 

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! 
His faithful love endures forever. 
 Give thanks to the God of gods. 
His faithful love endures forever. 
Give thanks to the Lord of lords. 
His faithful love endures forever. 

Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles. 
His faithful love endures forever. 
Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully. 
His faithful love endures forever. 
Give thanks to him who placed the earth among the waters. 
His faithful love endures forever. 
Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights— 
His faithful love endures forever. 
the sun to rule the day, 
His faithful love endures forever. 
and the moon and stars to rule the night. 
His faithful love endures forever. 

Give thanks to him who killed the firstborn of Egypt. 
His faithful love endures forever. 
He brought Israel out of Egypt. 
His faithful love endures forever. 

He acted with a strong hand and powerful arm. 
His faithful love endures forever. 

Give thanks to him who parted the Red Sea.  
His faithful love endures forever. 
He led Israel safely through, 
His faithful love endures forever. 
but he hurled Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea. 
His faithful love endures forever. 
Give thanks to him who led his people through the wilderness. 
His faithful love endures forever. 

Give thanks to him who struck down mighty kings. 
His faithful love endures forever. 
He killed powerful kings— 
His faithful love endures forever. 
Sihon king of the Amorites, 
His faithful love endures forever. 
and Og king of Bashan. 
His faithful love endures forever. 
God gave the land of these kings as an inheritance— 
His faithful love endures forever. 
a special possession to his servant Israel. 
His faithful love endures forever. 

He remembered us in our weakness. 
His faithful love endures forever. 
He saved us from our enemies. 
His faithful love endures forever. 
He gives food to every living thing. 
His faithful love endures forever. 
Give thanks to the God of heaven. 
His faithful love endures forever.” 

Be thankful for what He has done and what He will do!  

Bethany Marshall