Did you give thanks this past Thursday? I am not asking about whether you observed or even celebrated the holiday. Did you actually take time to say “thank you”? There were lots of opportunities to say it to your parents, children, spouse, friends, those who prepared the meal, those who served the meal, those who provided the food, anyone who did anything for you, etc.

The first part of saying thank you is thinking about all the you have and from where it has come. Whether you have a little or a lot it is more than the amount you had when you started. You came into this world with nothing. It is only by what others did for you and gave to you that you began to accumulate more and more.

Have you only been thinking of the things you have, your property and other possessions? Don’t forget all the benefits, joys, relationships, and all the other non-material things that are a part of you and your life. You have enjoyed most, if not all, such things because of someone else’s generosity and provision.

Thinking about all that I have mentioned reminds you how indebted you are and how much you need to thankfully declare your appreciation. Then comes the questions. To whom am I so indebted? Who should I be thanking?

Hear the answer in God’s Word. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21). The Bible even tells how we can give thanks. “Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:19b-20)

To learn more about all that God gives to you or how to be more thankful, please visit or contact St. Paul Lutheran Church, Fredonia (672-6731), Immanuel Lutheran Church, Gowanda (532-4342), or Trinity Lutheran Church, Silver Creek (934-2002).