If you look closely at our picture today, dear children, you will see that the old lady has her head bowed, her eyes closed, and her hands folded upon her knee, while her husband, who has reverently taken off his cap, is ready, with hand uplifted, to give thanks for the simple meal that is spread before them. Even the dog seems to understand as he sits quietly waiting, until the giving of thanks is ended.
I wonder how many of my little readers have thought about this giving of thanks, and how many of them think it is a necessary thing! What does God say about it? He tells us it is His will that, we should give thanks in everything. (2 Thess. 5:18.) But many little boys and girls eat their breakfasts, dinners, and suppers, day after day, and never think of lifting their hearts in gratitude and thanksgiving to God. Do you think He is pleased with this? Ah! no, for He would have our hearts filled with gladness and thanksgiving when He gives good things to us. And not only should we thank Him for our food, but also for our clothing and for home and shelter and parents and friends. Do not forget, God says in everything give thanks.
We little know what blessings will flow from our acknowledgement of God in this way. Let me give you one little incident to show you what I mean. A Christian, who was away from home and was taking dinner at a Hotel, bowed his head, as his custom was, before beginning to eat. I don’t know how many people saw him do this, nor what those who did see him may have thought of it, but I know that God looked down and was well-pleased. And there was also a poor Indian who saw this act and it led him to conclude that this man was a Christian, because he bowed his head and gave thanks to God before he ate. This Indian had been turned to the Lord, and knew Him as his Saviour, but there were questions that troubled him and he was seeking help, so he waited until the Christian was through with his dinner that he might then seek an interview with him. The opportunity was soon given, and the Christian gladly listened to the Indian’s questions, and was able to help him much. And the blessing did not stop there; it flowed out to others.
Let us remember, dear children, that we honor God, in giving thanks to Him in everything. And He has said, “Them that honor Me, I will honor.”
The greatest and best of all gifts, I have not yet mentioned—that is, God’s beloved Son. How many of you have thanked God that He has given His Son, that you might have life through Him?
R.
ML 08/05/1900