22nd. April 2020. Daily Devotion.

Ruby was extremely poor. She often could barely afford the tt$2.50 (45p) fare to Church in Port of Spain on a Sunday. She made and sold ice cream, coconut, soursop, and sapodilla from fruit she gathered near her house to make ends meet. But when she came to the prayer meeting each week her, prayer always began with gratitude for the blessings she did enjoy.

Thankfulness works in the Christian community as it usually does in the Christian life. Only those who give thanks for the little things receive the great things as well. We prevent God from giving us the great spiritual gifts prepared for us because we do not give thanks for daily gifts. We think that we should not be satisfied with the small measure of spiritual knowledge, experience, and love that has been given to us, and that we must constantly be seeking the great gifts. Then we complain that we lack the deep certainty, the strong faith, and the rich experiences that God has given to other Christians, and we consider these complaints to be pious. We pray for the big things and forget to give thanks for the small (and yet really not so small!) gifts we receive daily. How can God entrust great things to those who will not gratefully receive the little things from God’s hand? Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Isaiah 12:1-4
You will say in that day: I will give thanks to you, O Lord, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, and you comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord GOD is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name….

Questions to Ponder
What are the cultural forces in our society that work against the experience and expression of thankfulness?
What are the “small gifts” we receive from God each day?
How could such “small gifts” be affirmed, honoured, and celebrated in a community of faith?

Psalm 103:1-5

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and do not forget all his benefits․
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good for as long as you live
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Reflect on how the “small gifts” you receive from God shape your life and your relationships.

Pray that you may be a voice of thanksgiving in your family, among your friends and co-workers, and in your community of faith. Pray that your voice of thanksgiving will encourage others to give voice to the many things for which they are thankful. Offer thanks also for those who are serving others sacrificially during the pandemic; for every voice of reason and encouragement, for the faith, hope and love which sustain us all.

Prayer for Today
Lord, open my eyes that I may see the giftedness of my life and let my life be a hymn of praise and thanksgiving.

Count Your Blessings
Count your blessings, not your crosses; count your gains instead of losses.
Count your joys instead of woes; count your friends instead of foes.
Count your smiles instead of tears; count your courage, not your fears.
Count full years instead of lean; Count kind deeds instead of mean.
Count your health instead of wealth; Love your neighbour as yourself.