Grace in Thanksgiving

“I thank my God always for you, because of God’s grace that was given to you in Christ Jesus.”  —1 Corinthians 1:4 (CEB)

On this day of Thanksgiving, Paul’s words echo in my heart: “I thank my God always for you.” Whether we have known each other for years or only recently crossed paths, your presence is a blessing. Each relationship, each encounter, is a reminder that God’s grace is not abstract but embodied in the lives of those around us.

I think of family members whose steady love has carried me through seasons of uncertainty. I think of friends who have listened with patience, offering encouragement when I struggled to find it myself. I think of mentors and colleagues whose small acts of kindness have revealed Christ’s compassion in unexpected ways. In each of these, I have witnessed God’s grace at work—grace that strengthens faith, sustains hope, and deepens joy even in the midst of trial.

Yet, on this day of Thanksgiving, I also recognize how easy it is to overlook these blessings. We can become so accustomed to the presence of those closest to us that we forget to give thanks. We can take for granted the quiet faithfulness of those who walk beside us. This day invites us to pause, to notice, and to name the grace of God alive in others. Gratitude is not simply a polite gesture; it is a spiritual practice that opens our eyes to Christ’s presence in the ordinary and the extraordinary alike.

So today, I invite us to reflect: Who has been a blessing in our lives? Who has shown us grace, patience, or love? Give thanks for them, and in doing so, give thanks to God. Let our gratitude be more than words—let it be a way of seeing, a way of living, a way of honoring the grace that surrounds us.

Gracious God, we thank You for the gift of family, friends, and all those who reveal Your love to us. Forgive us when we overlook the blessings of those around us. Open our eyes to see Your grace at work in their lives and in ours. Teach us to live with gratitude, so that our thanksgiving may draw us closer to You and to one another. In Christ Jesus, who is our grace and peace, we pray. Amen.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pastor Tim