Bec's Blog

A November/Thanksgiving Blog 2025

Have you ever put coins or dollars into a machine (not a gambling slot machine) with a guaranteed something dispersed in return? Think food or drink vending machines. Or cash/coin recycling systems. Also savings or investments with a high yield.

Such is gratitude. We add to the spiritual exercise of worship when we practice gratitude. The more we add… the greater the return.

Now, we don’t earn God’s love. He already loves us unconditionally just the way we are. He simply invites us into a deep and growing relationship with Him. And like any good parent, He’s already pleased with us. But, like good children, we also love to please Him. And you know it feels good as a parent when your dear child simply wants to please you. Such it is with expressing our gratitude to Him.

The Bible has a lot to say about gratitude as worship. I Thessalonians 5:16-18 reminded us to “… give thanks in all circumstances…” And Psalm 100:4 invites us to “Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name!” (Try saying the first verses of Psalm 103 out loud to bless His name.)

Hebrews 12:28-29 reminds us “Therefore, since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe…” And Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.”

With these verses in mind, I invite you to add the thought of “time and place and space” to your mental and verbal gratitude offerings to God.

This summer when I was in Maine, I found myself thanking God for that time, and place, and space. Later, it was the same in New York. And after that, Florida.

After experiencing near death experiences last year, I’ve been extremely grateful for the gift of every day of life, every day since. No matter where I landed.

Along with that thought, is the simple enjoyment of the gift of time. The gift of place. And yes, the gift of space. Think about it. Wherever you are right now, you can look at it as a gift. That apartment which reflects your preferences. Or houses your beloved pet. Or is shared with a loved one. That home. That office space. That renewing outside walk. Even your car. Wherever you travel in the next few days and weeks, especially during this holiday season, I pray you’ll stop, look around, and thank our good Lord for that time, and place and space.

Each day is a gift, and He knew you’d be exactly where you are right now.

So “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… and be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)

We can enter into His Presence no matter where we are or who we’re with. Or, and especially if, we aren’t with anyone. He is there. As we practice gratitude, we worship a King (Jesus) who gives us an unshakable Kingdom and a source of ongoing peace.