A Thankful Heart
(Recipe: Apple Pumpkin Dessert)

This is Thanksgiving Week and it gives us an opportunity to specifically meditate on the word “thanksgiving”. What exactly do we mean by “being thankful”? I asked my grandchildren to tell me what they thought the word “thankful” meant, and here is their reply.

Kari – my oldest at age 18 says: Thankfulness is being thankful in every situation. No matter what, there is always something to be thankful for. It’s appreciating the little things and recognizing what God has given you and how blessed you are. Being thankful means realizing when people do something nice for you and making sure you acknowledge them.

Rachel – our 16 year old – says: Being thankful is being okay with what you have and where God has you at the moment. It’s not coveting the things people around you have or the opportunities they have been given, but simply being glad for the ones that you have.
Being thankful is being content and choosing joy despite situations and circumstances around you.

Our 15 year old grandson Andrew says this: I think that thankfulness means simply showing your appreciation or gratitude for a person if they have done even just a small favor for you. You should be thankful for all things, little and big. You can show thankfulness in the kind things you do to give back to others or simply by just saying “thank you”.

Melissa, who is 13 says – I think a great way to show thankfulness is just by showing someone that you really appreciate what they’re doing or did for you. And to say thank you is always great but for some people they’re just words and they really don’t mean anything to them.

But that’s not the case for me, especially after Sandy. I realized how thankful I should be that I still have a house to live in and clothes to wear, and I’m especially thankful for my family…so many people lost a family member in that storm and as much as my heart breaks for them, I’m thankful that I still have a complete family.

As I read their replies, I came to the conclusion they understand what many adults do not, when it comes to being thankful. They understand that we are to be thankful no matter what the circumstances.

The Apostle Paul shared this same thought with us when he said in Philippians 4:11-12, “….I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

We are reminded that thankfulness means saying “thank you” to even the smallest of favors. Again, The Apostle Paul teaches us this when he said in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Thank him for the big things and the little things. The things that make us smile, and the hard things. In all circumstances (not for all circumstances) there is a reason to give thanks.

Ephesians 5:19-20 reminds us, “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

It is so easy to give thanks when things are going the way we want them to. It is much harder to give thanks when we face difficulties, hardships, and trials. Having faced two major surgeries in 7 months, one thing I have learned, God is good ALL the time, and ALL the time God is good. I am so deeply thankful for my Father, who is my secure foundation. “You are my Father, my God, and my Rock of Salvation.” (Psalm 89:26)

Today I want to express my thanks to my Father for all he has done for me. He gave me the Gift of his Holy Spirit, who empowers me in my daily walk. He gave me the incredible Gift of Jesus, who gave his life so I might have life. Without Jesus I would be nothing. Thank you Jesus for loving me enough to die for me. May I live my life as a testimony of your grace living in me.

What do you have to be thankful for today? Whether you are facing hardship or pleasure, as you face your circumstance, there is SOMETHING to be thankful for. Express your gratitude to God today.

Apple Pumpkin Dessert

1 21-ounce can apple pie filling
1 15 ounce can pumpkin
1 14 ounce can EAGLE BRAND Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 large eggs
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. nutmeg
½ tsp. salt
2 cup gingersnap crumbs
2 tbsp. melted butter or margarine

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spoon equal portions of apple filling into 8 (6-ounce) lightly greased custard cups.

In large bowl, combine pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt; mix well. Spoon equal portions over apple filling.

Combine gingersnap crumbs and butter in a small bowl. Sprinkle over pumpkin filling. Place cups on 15x10-inch baking pan.

Bake 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F; bake 15 minutes longer or until set. Cool. Serve warm. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.