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Listen while you read: "Come Ye Thankful People Come"1
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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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Amen Diane!
So true, Diane.
Happy Thanksgiving!
A TRUE message – thank you today and always.
Great story and reminder, thanks and blessings, Diane!
Thank you, Diane. I had a similar experience recently with a cake and it took all I had to keep my mouth shut!
Thanks for today’s devotion, Diane. It seems that too often it’s easier to grumble than to be thankful. Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving, Diane!
Our “God is the Source of all our blessings.”
Amen!
Good Morning:
A note to thank you for your devotion.
I have forwarded same to our church family here.
Every blessing to you and yours.
Thank you for sharing this devotion. I have been guilty of slighting my Lord as well. It is easy after the crisis has passed to give credit to the natural rather than the supernatural power of our God. I pray I remember all things good come from Him!
Thanks, Diane, for your special devotional writing today. You are so right that everything we have is from our loving Lord. His provisions to us are endless and He is ever deserving of our dedicated thankfulness. Blessings for your very meaningful words today.
Thanks for reminding me to be truly thankful.
I am reminded of my mother who never started even the smallest job without asking God for His Blessing. It’s because of Him we have everything.
Thank you, Lord.
Good morning, Diane.
Happy Thanksgiving Monday
Yes, I agree with, and I really feel we could run out of time when we thank God for all He has done.
God bless.
Happy Thanksgiving Day, Diane!
I can think of no greater lesson than the one you shared to make us stop, think, and thank! What a lesson for all of us!
May you stay dry today, as our land is watered abundantly, and thank you for your Thanksgiving lesson.
(ON)
Diane,
That was a good reading to end my Thanksgiving Day.
I will go to bed offering God more thanks than normal for all my blessings and try to remember to keep it up throughout the year!
Should I say, “Thanks for reminding me”? I’ll say a special prayer of thanks to God for inspiring you write the devotional!
Thank you, Diane, for your beautiful devotion today.
I enjoyed it tremendously, especially the words of Samuel Stennett. They ring a bell in my head.
Thank you again.
Many blessings to you on this thanksgiving weekend,
(Quebec)
Good morning, Diane,
This is an important message because I know that I am guilty of not thanking God for all the little things He provides in my life every day. This is a wonderful message on Thanksgiving to jog our memories in such a poignant way that all we have comes from God and that His Son died to save us. I am grateful to be a Christian, but don’t remember often enough to fully thank him and appreciate what He provides. I take Him for granted which is not who I want to be.
Thank you for sharing your friend’s testimony and wake up call. Blessings.
Thank you, Diane, for a wonderful Thanksgiving devotion. It is indeed very thought provoking and challenging.
May God’s blessings be upon you and yours.
Thank you, Diane.