“Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights” James 1:17
I was a little boy and it was October 31st. I was looking forward to getting candy in the neighborhood. All my friends were dressed up, and I was excited about getting my outfit on. My brother was ready to go.
We were at the dinner table, and I only had one thing left to eat, but it was creamed corn. I didn’t like creamed corn. I didn’t like looking at creamed corn. I didn’t like the smell of cream corn. It didn’t matter if was cold in the can or warm on the plate- it just looked like something from another world. I don’t know why anybody in the world would like creamed corn, but creamed corn stood between me and going out for candy. I was stubborn and the creamed corn just sat there. It wouldn’t go away. It was not disappearing and I knew I was in “In a pickle.” My parents didn’t allow our dog in the house, so there was no chance of sneaking it under the table. The pile was too big to put it in my mouth and try the old “I have to go to the bathroom" trick and spit it in toilet.
What a mess. To make a long story short, the next morning I had that creamed corn for breakfast and I never did get any candy the night before. What a bummer.
There are some things in life that we just aren’t real thankful for. Creamed corn still doesn’t look good to me and my feelings about it have not changed. In fact, a friend loved me so much and knew how I had no regard for creamed corn that he gave me a can of creamed corn for Christmas. Talk about a gag gift.
A great lesson that I learned through this experience is - thankfulness is an issue of the heart and mind - not the tastebuds.
My attitude of thanks was based completely on my desire to be pleased. I had little comprehension that an attitude of thanks had a great deal to do with being thought of or appreciating the thought of being cared for and loved by another.
God is a wonderful giver - a gracious giver - and a generous giver. His attitude of giving is a blessing, and His continual giving is because He loves us.
I have a tendency to be thankful only for what I want, and not be very thankful for what I need. That’s selfish on my part.
Today I simply want to say thank You, Lord, for the many ways you have been gracious and I am sorry for not being as grateful and for each and every gift You have given.
