– Dietrich Bonhoeffer

 

 

Thanksgiving is nearly here in Canada and despite its name it can be hard to see the point past all the great turkey and gravy (which I like a whole lot). When we pray in thanksgiving it is often out of a sense of gratefulness for the tangible blessings of health, family, friends, shelter, employment, food etc. All good things and surely blessings.

 

Perhaps we need to take a step back however and ask ourselves whether our gratitude hinges upon the material blessings in our life? Do we, perhaps, need a joy based upon something eternal? If all our hope and happiness hinges upon things that rust, decay and die will not our hope also rust, decay and die?

 

Bonhoeffer seeks to remind us that gratitude in any circumstance is what will enrich our lives. To have gratitude in any circumstance we must place all our hope in Christ. In Him we have an eternal, unchangeable blessing far beyond anything we can receive out of this world.

 

I am the married father of three. I am healthy and employed. I pray I find a nearness to Christ that would allow me to rejoice in the wealth, health and abundance of my neighbor even if I am sick, poor and experience loss. This is my prayer for you as well.