Three Gifts from God I’m Most Thankful For This Year

Growing up, our Thanksgiving tradition was simple, before anyone could touch the turkey or stuffing, we had to go around the table and say one thing we were thankful for. As a kid, this felt like torture. I could practically see the steam rising off the mashed potatoes, yet there we were… listing reasons to be grateful while the food got cold.

To make it worse, I was usually the fifth or sixth person to go. My parents and older sisters took all the “good ones”. God, family, the house, friends, etc. and by the time it got to me, I was scrambling. Most years I’d fall back on my old faithful answer,

“I’m thankful for the food.”

And then I’d shovel food on my plate.

But somewhere along the way, growing up changed my perspective. Suddenly I understood that things like heat, groceries, and a house don’t magically appear. I started noticing the things I used to take for granted. I appreciated the privilege of family down the hall. I saw the gift it was to drive to Thanksgiving dinner. I recognized how grateful I should be simply for the everyday grace of life.

And yet, out of everything I overlooked as a kid, thankfulness to God was probably the easiest one to miss.

My parents always said “God” first, and as a kid it felt like the polite, obligatory thing to say, like using “please” and “thank you” when your dad hands out turkey. But now I understand, gratitude toward God is not a polite ritual. It’s a lifeline.

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

We read those verses on Facebook every November. We tell them to our kids. But how often do we actually stop and feel grateful to God?

So if you're struggling to think of ways to be thankful to God this year, I want to give you three things I think you can be thankful for and can even share when it’s your turn around the table this year.

We can be thankful that God hears us.

This may sound simple and be something we often overlook, but the reality that God hears our prayers and is attentive to our call is awe-inspiring. Psalm 8:4 says, “What is man that You are mindful of him…?” God, in His glory and magnitude, does not have to heed His people, and yet He hears our prayers and chooses to respond because of His overwhelming love for you and me.

We can be thankful that God gives us good gifts.

James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

What I love about this verse is that James recognizes that every gift we have is from God. He is our provider and our sustenance, and in this Thanksgiving season we should pause, think of the special gifts we’ve received this year, and thank our Father in heaven who gives them out of His goodness and grace.

We can be thankful that God saved us.

Speaking of gifts, Ephesians 2:8 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

The greatest gift we have ever received is a beautiful Savior who died on a rugged cross. This moment is the central act of love upon which we all have the opportunity for eternal life and a renewed relationship with God. If you're a Christian, this is a powerful reason to praise God: He saved you not only from eternal punishment but also from the aimless life we lived before encountering Christ.

With that in mind, take some time today to thank God for His answered prayers, His many gifts, and the work of Christ on the cross. and you’ll be more than ready to share what you’re thankful for at Thanksgiving dinner.