A popular song by Paul Baloche and Don Moen contains these lines:                                                                                                            For all You’ve given to me,                                                                For all the blessings I cannot see,                                                    Thank You, Lord! Thank You, Lord!

On this American Thanksgiving Day, may I suggest that we focus on giving thanks for that which is not readily visible or apparent? Here is a list to get you started.

1. Generational Blessings that were passed down from our ancestors. Sometimes we tend to focus on the illnesses, character flaws, sinful tendencies and other unwelcome flotsam from our genetic pool. How about lifting up with gratitude the welcome gifts we received unsolicited instead? Innate talents, creativity, godly heritage and ___________ (please fill in the blanks).

2. Foundational Blessings, which, like the foundation of a house, are not visible. Shall we give thanks for the first stewards and settlers of our country, the first members of our families who immigrated and paved the way for us to be here today, the vision which guided the founders of our nation, the values that undergird our constitution, and ________________ (your turn!)

3. Freedoms and Privileges we enjoy today that were purchased at a premium price, mostly by people who are anonymous to us. Let gratitude flood our hearts for those who laid down their lives for us, those who continue to place their lives at risk so we can continue to exercise our freedom of choice without fear of reprisal in political, religious, social, economic and ___________spheres? (Good choice!)

4. Blessings in disguise which can only be celebrated with gratitude in retrospect: a crisis that shaped us into being who we are today, a seemingly insurmountable obstacle that produces an incredible story of overcoming, an unceremonious job loss that leads to unparalleled success and _________, all of which confirm the certitude of Romans 8:28: “In ALL THINGS God works for the good of those who love Him.”

5. Serendipitous Blessings which are often erroneously described as “coincidence”–chance meetings that led to choice opportunities, blind dates that blossomed into marriage, “lucky to be at the right time at the right place with the right person” stories that ended with lives being saved and changed, and ______________ (feel free to use additional pages, eh?)

6. Prayers at work on our behalf of which we were blissfully unaware. Children who have come (back) to Jesus because “my mother’s prayers followed me”, peace in the midst of the most troubling circumstances, miraculous healings and supernatural interventions that defy logical explanation and _____________ (Wow! What a testimony!)

What else would you add to the list? Please feel free to share them with the rest of us.

But first, shall we sing?