Acknowledging God’s goodness

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV)

Gratitude is acknowledging God’s goodness and grace as we see it manifested in our lives and the lives of others. It’s an expression of humility, recognizing that all we have and all we are come from the hand of our Creator.

The first Thanksgiving began with the journey of the Pilgrims from England to the New World in 1620. These brave men and women endured a perilous voyage across the Atlantic Ocean so they could find religious freedom.

Despite challenges and hardships, the Pilgrims persevered because they had strong faith in God. When spring came the following year, the indigenous Wampanoag people taught the Pilgrims essential skills that helped them survive in their new environment. That autumn brought a bountiful harvest for the Pilgrims. It was a time of rejoicing and fellowship, as they shared food and gave thanks to God for the blessings He had bestowed on them.

Thanksgiving is more than just a holiday—it’s a way of life for Christians. It’s a call to cultivate a heart of gratitude that pervades every aspect of our being. As we embrace the practice of thanksgiving, may we be transformed from the inside out, becoming vessels of God’s love in a world that’s hungry for true hope and love. [1]

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. - Melody Beattie [1]

[1] Anchor Embracing Thanksgiving: A Heart of Gratitude