Recounting God’s gifts

The Thanksgiving holiday fast approaches here in the United States. Thanksgiving recipes abound, turkeys are running for cover, and plans are being made in earnest for that fourth Thursday of November. I love the trend of the past few years of posting one thing to be thankful for each day in November, as it puts our hearts in tune with the blessings God has given us.

Can you think of 30 things to be thankful for?
Can you come up with 365? I am convinced He has given me more blessings than I can number.

As we “recount [God’s] wondrous deeds,” the one that rises always to the forefront is our salvation through Christ. What blessing could be greater?

Do not fail, however, to thank Him for the small blessings also: The warmth of the sun on a cool day, the interplay of light and shadow, the mirthful melody of birdsong, the tinkling of toddlers’ laughter, the soothing embrace of a friend, the stunning autumn colors, the solemnity of silence. These minor blessings magnify God’s bountiful beneficence.

Thy bountiful care, what tongue can recite?

It breathes in the air, it shines in the light!

It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,

And sweetly distills in the dew and the rain!

– Robert Grant, “O Worship the King”

In these small things I get a taste of the joys to come. The birdsong reminds me of God’s omnipotence; a child’s belly laugh, of my rebirth in Christ; the light, of His illuminating Word; the sunrise and sunset also testify to His great faithfulness.

Every day—not just in November—find something new for which to give thanks. Write it down in a prayer journal. Make a memorial to His works somewhere in your home. Above all this, show love to some soul today, for in doing so, you reflect Christ and demonstrate your gratitude for what He has done.

Give thanks to the Lord for blessings great and small, today and always.