Bitter because not all circumstances naturally produce gratitude. Some circumstances seem to have no redeeming qualities.
Sweet, and I cringe a little as I write this, because if God asks us to be thankful, there must be in all circumstances cause for thanksgiving. The sort of gratitude we cannot conjure up by ourselves. The kind that relies on another verse, “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.”
I’m taking a blog break and plan to be back next week.
Until then, I pray God reminds me and you of those things for which we can be thankful no matter what. Things like life, breath, and peace with Him through Christ. What others come to mind?
My husband and I traveled to the California wine country for a work conference last November. The things we do for his career.
One afternoon, our group had lunch at Kuleto Estate situated high on a steep, rocky hill. Looked out over vineyards afire with fall color. The sky seemed larger. Our feet lighter.
our view from Kuleto Estate
Dined outdoors on the side of the mountain at a long table. Ate vegetables picked fresh from the gardens that morning, delectable meats and desserts prepared by the resident chef. It was so perfect, I kept looking for Martha Stewart to step out from behind a tree.
Couldn’t help but think this must be what heaven is like. Friends, food, fresh air, mountains, vineyards, olive trees.
That day left me longing for a place where I’d be with everyone I loved, eating and talking and laughing. Savoring each moment, followed by ten thousand upon ten thousand more. Finally safe. Finally home.
On the way back to our bus, we passed a pen of poultry. It was there I came face to face with a most majestic creature.
Heaven is filled with laughter that satiates the soul. I just know it is.
The best of the now is a hint of what’s to come. An assurance of the place He has for us.
Meet me there. One day, meet me there.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:4 NIV
“Thank You for this food,” says my father-in-law when he prays over our family dinner table. “And bless the hands that prepared it.”
Today as I sit down to a simple lunch of tomato soup and tuna melt, I think of the hands that prepared it.
Of course there are the farmers and ranchers. Vegetable growers and harvesters of the tomatoes for the soup and the cucumbers for the relish.
Dairy farmers whose cows produce the milk I stir into my soup and the cheese that makes my tuna melt. Poultry farmers whose chickens lay eggs for the mayo.
produce
Wheat growers who give us grain for bread. Fishermen who harvest albacore on the open seas.
It would be enough to stop there in the bread baskets, victory gardens and teeming waters of our world. But that would only be part of the story.
Equipment, machinery, tires, and fuel run modern farms. Veterinarians and animal health products shield livestock from disease.
Inputs like fertilizer boost plant health and production in our cropland. And yes, there are chemicals to keep our food from being infested by insects, ravaged by disease, or starved out by weeds.
cheese shop
There are ecologists and extension agents to watch over natural resources. Agronomists, biologists, chemists, soil specialists and a host of other scientists to improve and develop technologies.
Bankers, accountants, and lawyers are involved. Marketers too. Farming and food production are expensive ventures.
There are processing companies like the one that canned my soup. Planes, trains and big rigs with 18 wheels to transport the food to my town.
There are farmers’ markets and grocery stores. On-premise butchers, bakers, and chefs. People to work the checkouts, collect carts, or clean up on aisle seven.
checkout
Managers to manage it all. Administrators, human resources professionals, and thousands of other employees, plus federal, state and local government agencies.
So many people, so many hands take part in preparing my food and yours. We are free to buy, cook, or order up nearly anything we can imagine to eat.
Food prices have risen a bit lately. Yet last week I spent more money on clothes for my growing child than on groceries to feed him.
This is the state of food in America. The abundant, affordable state of food.
The pilgrims would fall to their knees if they could see it now. We’d do well to take their lead.
The eyes of all look to You in hope;
You give them their food as they need it.
When You open Your hand,
You satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing. Psalm 145:15-16 NLT
A special thank you to the friendly folks at the Richmond Center and Ladue Schnucks grocery stores for lending their smiles to this post.
#foodthanks
This post is part of FoodThanks, a forum sponsored by AgChat where people can give thanks for those who produce our food. To read more perspectives or to link up your own, go to AgChat.com or click on the #foodthanks button here.
How crafty am I? Don’t answer. That’s meant to be a rhetorical question.
The button, however, is yours for the taking. Copy and use at will in your social media to celebrate Thanksgiving. See? I’m using it in the sidebar to the right and as the profile picture on the everyday epistle Facebook page.
Come back tomorrow when, for my next trick, I plan to feature the Hebrews verse in a post AND link the post to this button! Wowza.
Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25 NLT
