Giving Thanks

A. Unabashed Pacifist --

Cooks For Peace:
We plan, prepare and serve meals that do a body good.
We know some of the ingredients for peace, too.
Have people share a decent meal around a table.
Let them talk about their hopes and their families.
Let them express thanks for the meal.
Then let them plan to eat together again in peace.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

We cannot thank you enough.
Really.
Life. Earth. Plants. Animals. Food. Water. Air.
Bodies. Minds. Spirits. Families. Friends.
Learning. Wisdom. Art. Science. Technology. Creativity.
Health and strength and daily bread.
Joy. Sex. Hope. Imagination. Courage. Love. Generosity. Kindness.
Faithfulness. Beauty. Compassion. Forgiveness.
Memory. Peace. Jesus.
We cannot thank you enough – for any one of these blessings.
Really.
Little enough that it is, however: Thank You!
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Please pass the ham biscuits.”

[Not even at the harvest celebration did He say this.]

D. Blog: A Thanksgiving Prayer

A 4-year-old boy was asked to return thanks before the Thanksgiving dinner. The family members bowed their heads in expectation. He began his prayer, thanking God for all his friends, naming them one by one. Then he thanked God for Mommy, Daddy, brother, sister, Grandma, Grandpa, and all his aunts and uncles. Then he began to thank God for the food. He gave thanks for the turkey, the dressing, the fruit salad, the cranberry sauce, the pies, the cakes, even the Cool Whip. Then he paused, and everyone waited--and waited.

After a long silence, the young fellow looked up at his mother and asked, "If I say thanks for the broccoli, won't God know that I'm lying?"