Psalm 69:30 – Then I will praise God's name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving. (NLT)

After a friend shared the following testimony, I asked for her permission to pass it on. You'll likely be stirred by her experience, and you, too, will respond with thanksgiving. Here's her story:

A group of my girlfriends decided to celebrate a friend's birthday at a nearby restaurant. Beforehand, I arranged for the kitchen staff to surprise the birthday girl with a cake which I had purchased. As expected, she was surprised and touched. She wondered who provided the cake. The first friend she asked said, "Not me." The next friend she asked wouldn't say yes or no, likely assuming that I wanted to remain anonymous. So, the birthday girl thought that it was her and thanked her. Still the friend didn't say a word. I was disappointed.

While leaving the restaurant, she was thanked again. And again, she didn't say a word. I was bummed out! I was the one who had ordered the cake. I was the one thinking of her, and I wanted her to know that. But someone else got the thanks for it.

The next day, over morning coffee, I was still pouting over it. My thoughts were suddenly interrupted with words arising from within, saying, "Now you know how I feel!"

I gasped, realizing that this was God, and the cake incident was a setup. I knew exactly what He meant!

How often have I not given thanks to Him for all His blessings to me? Pride makes me think that I deserve those blessings and worked hard for them. Yet, isn't everything from the Lord — my life, my breath, my health, my talents, my husband, my home location, etc.? He is my Source.

Suddenly, I felt a little of what God must feel continuously. I had been offended when someone else received the credit for merely a small birthday cake. Imagine how God feels, not getting thanks or credit for all that He has given us. He wants us all to know that He thinks about us all the time and that He is the One giving us so much. He is our Source.

I immediately told God that I was sorry and thanked Him for everything. I also thanked Him for the lesson. This is one lesson that I hope I will never forget! That day I felt just a little of the grief that God must feel. Not only does the world deny that God is their Source of all, but even some Christians can't see that Jesus Christ is His gift for them. They neither thank Him nor appreciate the gift of His Son.

Thanksgiving Day was approaching, and I was thankful to have learned this lesson!

May we all remember, and not just on Thanksgiving Day, that God is the Source of all our blessings!

To Him I owe my life and breath,
And all the joys I have;
He makes me triumph over death,
And saves me from the grave.
       Samuel Stennett

Prayer: "O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name! But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us!" Amen. (1 Chronicles 29:13-14 NLT)

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About the author:

Diane Eaton <dianeeaton6@gmail.com>
Paisley, Ontario, Canada
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