admin
11-22-2007, 08:43 AM
Taking Inventory
by
Kristen Deede Johnson
+ + +
And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven,
and blessed and broke them . . . (v. 16)
+ + +
It always amazes me that Jesus, the one through whom all things were
created -- including the grain that becomes bread and the seas in
which fish swim -- made a point to pause and give thanks to his
Father for the bread and fish before he broke them. How much more
should we, who were also created by God through Jesus Christ, pause
to be thankful for the food and the many other gifts we've received.
Thanksgiving Day offers Americans the chance to do just this -- to
pause, attend a gratitude-filled worship service, gather with friends
and family, and be thankful. I sometimes wonder if Jesus was thanking
God for both the provision of food and the miracle of bread. How
extraordinary that a few ingredients stirred together and baked can
produce something like bread, not to mention pie and cookies! Each
day is full of gifts like these that we often overlook or take for
granted. Thanksgiving Day enables us to take inventory of all the
gifts, large and small, that compose our daily lives. We don't need
miraculously multiplied loaves and fishes to recognize that every
bite we take is a miracle of God's provision and creativity.
Help us to be thankful, Lord, for the miracles of food, fellowship,
and your saving love.
by
Kristen Deede Johnson
+ + +
And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven,
and blessed and broke them . . . (v. 16)
+ + +
It always amazes me that Jesus, the one through whom all things were
created -- including the grain that becomes bread and the seas in
which fish swim -- made a point to pause and give thanks to his
Father for the bread and fish before he broke them. How much more
should we, who were also created by God through Jesus Christ, pause
to be thankful for the food and the many other gifts we've received.
Thanksgiving Day offers Americans the chance to do just this -- to
pause, attend a gratitude-filled worship service, gather with friends
and family, and be thankful. I sometimes wonder if Jesus was thanking
God for both the provision of food and the miracle of bread. How
extraordinary that a few ingredients stirred together and baked can
produce something like bread, not to mention pie and cookies! Each
day is full of gifts like these that we often overlook or take for
granted. Thanksgiving Day enables us to take inventory of all the
gifts, large and small, that compose our daily lives. We don't need
miraculously multiplied loaves and fishes to recognize that every
bite we take is a miracle of God's provision and creativity.
Help us to be thankful, Lord, for the miracles of food, fellowship,
and your saving love.