What Do We Have to be Thankful For?

By Kent Keller

Last Sunday during the sermon I gave a list of reasons we have to be thankful. It seemed to resonate with people, so I pass it along to you as our national day of Thanksgiving approaches. Maybe it will strike a chord with you as well.

What do we have to be thankful for?

If you woke up this morning, opened your eyes and could see the sunlight, you have reason to be thankful.

If you slept in your own bed in your own home, you have reason to be thankful.

If you rolled out of bed, put your feet on the floor and got moving on your own power, you have reason to be thankful.

If your home has electricity, clean running water and indoor plumbing, you have reason to be thankful.

If you had food to eat this morning, you have reason to be thankful.

If you travel in an automobile, and if you happen to own that automobile, whatever condition it's in, you have reason to be thankful.

If you drive on roads that are free of potholes and craters due to poor maintenance – or war – you have reason to be thankful.

If you have people in your life who love you, a hand to shake, an arm to put around someone's shoulders, two arms to hug someone – and someone to hug you back – and say, "It's good to see you," you have reason to be thankful.

If you have a Bible, in your own language, and you are able to read it, you have reason to be thankful.

If you can worship God freely in whatever way you choose and without fear of persecution, you have reason to be thankful.

If you have never had a gun pointed at you or a knife held to your throat and been ordered to renounce your beliefs or be imprisoned or killed, you have reason to be thankful.

More than that:
If you have ever heard the story of how God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life –

...you have reason to be thankful.