It’s the day before Thanksgiving. We’ve acknowledged our gifts of people and possessions, including family and friends, the beauty of nature, and the comfort of our personal belongings. Today we look at the third category, which actually supersedes all others. However it is often most appreciated when it is all we have.

If we had no food and friends, poor health or housing, limited vision or hearing, we would still be rich—we have the blessing of a life seen and loved by God, rich spiritual blessings.

The One who provides us with all that lies before us, makes us richest with what we cannot see—a relationship with Him that gives us peace beyond understanding, joy full and free, the understanding of truth, contentment that satisfies, hope inexplicable, a hunger to go deeper, and the Holy Spirit who reveals these spiritual riches.

Surely, God is worthy of our utmost gratitude and abandoned worship.

What is second on your “I’m thankful for…” list? I’m going to guess it’s PROVISION. When I picture our family’s “Thank you, Lord” poster, I recall drawings of houses, various aspects of nature, favorite foods, and perhaps a car, baseball bat, or new furnace.

As Provider, God is generous, attentive, and timely. Given our human nature, it’s difficult to imagine a benevolence that is not restrained or stingy. And it’s a challenge to comprehend blessings that encompass both present necessity and future provision. Such is the depth of God’s unreserved, extensive generosity to us.

In these pre-thanks-giving days let’s take particular note of those blessings that enrich our lives but are easily overlooked and taken for granted. I’ll start.

The deer in our backyard, a backyard, the home that comes with a backyard. A car that runs and passed inspection. Swivel rockers. A fireplace. Food in our cabinets. Cabinets. Soaring hawks. The birds that know when to take cover. Books. Reading glasses. Cataract surgery and every other life-improving, lifesaving effort. Churches. Biblical preaching. Worship and music. Games and puzzles, knitting and crocheting. The variety of trees, differing in type, shape, leaf, and hue. The cold of snow and the heat of sun.

What’s on your list?

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash