Guest Author - LeeAnn Bonds
Gratitude: “a feeling of being thankful to somebody for doing something.” That’s the definition supplied by my word processor. A quick scan of online definitions yields many similar explanations of the word. Do this search yourself, and you’ll discover that virtually all definitions include the same two ideas. One, there’s something for which you’re appreciative, and two, there’s somebody to whom you feel thankful for that something.
Have you ever played “The Bigger Picture”? Probably not, since I just made it up. The name, I mean. I’ve played the game for years, I just never named it before. Here’s how it goes: I’m thankful for this delicious venison stew. But before I could cook the stew, I had to have the venison, for which I’m thankful to my husband the mighty hunter. The bigger picture includes our neighbor down the road, who lets hubby hunt on his land, and generously grows a hayfield for the deer to munch on all year so they’re nice and fat and healthy. The enormous picture includes the successful business our neighbor started that provides the means to own such a deer paradise, and all the customers who buy his wares. And, we’ll have to include the inventor of the shotgun, providing the means of converting deer to venison, and my husband’s employer who contributed his shotgun buying paycheck and a supply of paid days off to use for hunting.
Then there are the farmers who grew the veggies for the stew. The organic veggies, for which I’m extremely grateful. So legislators and grassroots organizers of various stripes need to be thanked, since they provided the momentum and the motivation for farmers to grow organic. I grew some of the veggies, too, and I thank my chickens for providing some much needed fertilizer, and our local nursery for stocking such nice seeds and plants. Had to cook the stew in a pot (thanks Paul Revere ware factory workers) on my stove, (thanks, propane delivery guy), etc. etc. ad infinitum.
But there’s a mega-huge gargantuan picture. I know, you know where I’m going with this, but hey, there are people who just don’t get it. I’ve heard more than one vacuous spiel about thanking the universe (a created, non-sentient thing). Long ago I saw a cartoon character be abhorrently ungrateful, claiming to have worked hard to supply all his blessings himself. A self-made cartoon, he was. That particular absurdity has stuck with me for years.
Ever heard the joke about the scientist challenging God, claiming that he too, could create life? God graciously allows him to try to prove this, until the scientist wants to start with some soil and basic minerals. Then God says, “Hey! Get your own dirt!”
The biggest picture is this: God is the source of all our blessings. Whatever measure of health, wealth, love, hope, freedom, free library books and chocolate we enjoy can be traced back and back to God’s generous provision. We can’t get our own dirt. All the dirt, all the air, the puppies, the sunshine, the love and righteousness and yes, the created non-sentient universe, belong to Him. To Him be the glory and honor and blessing, and all our gratitude today and always, Amen!
