Our God, suddenly when our power is gone we are thankful for electricity. When our garbage isn’t picked up we become thankful for a garbage collector. When our sink is stopped up, we become thankful for a plumber; our roof leaks and we are thankful for a carpenter. When the air conditioning unit quits we are thankful for the HVAC person!
Why is it, Lord, that we are most thankful when the everyday blessings of our life are interupted? Only when those blessings are gone do we begin to be thankful for them being there for us each day.
We take for granted the mind you have provided for us, the beauty of the earth around us, the soil and rain you provide to give us food for life. We often take for granted the family and friends that you have provided for us and with whom we enjoy each day.
During this season of the year be patient with us when we forget that you are the author of all the things that give us life and all those things which we enjoy. Thank you for loving us in spite of our short memory. Thank you for music, for singing, for rest, for leisure, for those that understand our needs, for laughter and joy. Thank you that you never leave us even when we ignore your good gifts to us.
Most of all thank you for not withholding the many blessings which we acknowlege during this time of year and take for granted most of the rest of the year. Bless our simple thanksgiving and our feeble attempt to say thanks.
In the name of the greatest gift of all we pray! Amen.
Written by Colonel, Chaplain Corps US Army (Ret.) Chaplain Rich Cooper aka “Opa”. Rich Cooper also serves as a Board Member of the Hope Packed Project