May this week of Thanksgiving—lead us to Live a Life of ThanksLiving!
In 1636, amid the darkness of the Thirty Years’ War, German pastor, Martin Rinkart, is said to have buried 5,000 of his parishioners in one year, an average of fifteen a day. His parish was ravaged by war, death, and economic disaster. In the heart of that darkness, with the cries of fear outside his window, he sat down and wrote this table grace for his children:
‘Now thank we all our God
With heart and hands and voices;
Who wondrous things hath done,
In whom his world rejoices.
Who, from our mother’s arms,
Hath led us on our way
With countless gifts of love
And still is ours today.’
Here was a man who knew thanksgiving comes from love of God, not from outward circumstances.
To share with Family & Friends this Thanksgiving.
- A gift that you are thankful for that you have received this year.
- Things you have learned about God this year that have changed your life.
- Things you are thankful for about your family’s faith.
- Things you are thankful for about your family.
- An experience your family had this year that made you happy.
- People outside your family who have blessed you in some way
