Every Good and Perfect Gift -- A Thanksgiving Reflection

Central Woodward Christian Church 

Thanksgiving Day has arrived once again. Whether we are spending the day with family or friends or alone, whether we are watching football or perhaps working, it is right and good to spend a few moments offering words of thanksgiving to God.  My reflections are rooted in this statement from the book of James. I've chosen to use the words from the King James Version.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:17 KJV). 
 Every good and perfect gift comes to us from God our Creator, therefore we give thanks.  The Psalmist declares:
It is good to give thanks to the Lord,    to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning,    and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp,    to the melody of the lyre.  For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work;    at the works of your hands I sing for joy.  (Ps. 92:1-4)

I realize these are difficult days for many. I am mindful of the refugees streaming out of Syria and Iraq. I know that their cries for help are falling on deaf ears in many parts of this country. I know that violence is rampant throughout the land -- near and far. Nonetheless, I do believe that God is good and that God provides us with good and perfect gifts that will sustain us. We are part of a wondrous creation that God has pronounced good. I suppose the question for us on this day concerns what we will do with these gifts?  For starters we should be good stewards of the creation that surrounds us. 

The picture posted here was taken Sunday. There is a circle in the driveway.  There is a cross, a large rock, and a peace pole. These are signs of God's gifts of grace and peace, as well as God's steadfastness.  So, on this day of thanksgiving let us sing out with joy, knowing that God the Provider is with us and amongst us.  

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