THE GIVER

Many words of gratitude will be spoken this week as they should be – I have quite a list myself!  We quite naturally, however, connect gratitude with people, places, things while the things we should be most thankful for are the unseen things. Consider the absence of what you [physically and materially] hold dearest: what would your depth of gratitude be?  Would the sincerity of your gratitude be the same? That’s a hard one! In his Gospel of Jesus Christ, John  speaks bluntly of Him Who blesses: "And from His Fullness we have all received, grace upon grace." (John 1:16).  The phrase “grace upon grace” emphasizes the super-abundance of grace! That super-grace has been shown by God to all of mankind – especially to Believers!  Make no mistake, that grace is not held in our hands but in our hearts! The soul’s truest gratitude always rests in The One Who gives to each one abundantly "according to His riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19).  The people-places-things we often hold as objects of our greatest gratitude are temporal – one day they will be gone.  Let me challenge you this Thanksgiving: instead of devoting your full attention to the blessings, consider The Giver of all blessings.  He is the One Who numbers each hair on your head (Luke 12:7); Who catches each tear you cry (Psalm 56:8); Who has your name engraved in the palms of His hands (Isaiah 49:16); Whose eyes are ever on you (Psalm 33:18); Who never sleeps nor slumbers (Psalm 121:4); Who promises to be with you at all times (Matthew 28:20). This new pattern of gratitude has the potential to change your entire Thanksgiving, your Christmas, your life.  Experience real thanksgiving – honor The Giver!