I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people.(I Timothy 2:1)

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you.(Romans 1:8)

Although it happened nearly 20 years ago, the impression it left upon me remains fresh as though it were yesterday.

The Aguilar family, recent immigrants to Canada from Guatemala, had invited me for dinner. Language was a barrier for the parents, but thanks to the children, we were able to communicate quite well.

Being devout Catholics, they all crossed themselves before we started eating, while I performed the Protestant equivalent by simply bowing my head and saying a silent grace.

The food was delicious. Juana was truly a great cook. Everyone ate to their hearts’ content, spiced with lots of banter in between bites. It was indeed a very enjoyable experience.

Right after we finished the meal, something very unusual happened. The children gathered in a semi-circle around the table and said something in Spanish in perfect unison.

Most of the few words they uttered were totally unintelligible to me. However I did catch the first word: “Gracias.” I knew they were saying “Thank you”…but, for what?

Spying the puzzled look on my face, Guillermo proceeded to explain that they were thanking their mother for the meal. I was even more astounded to hear that this was not reserved for special occasions when Mama prepares an extraordinary meal. It was a daily occurrence.

Wow!

At every meal, they not only thanked God for the blessing of food, but also the hands that prepared it. No wonder they seemed to be a happy family all the time.

Paul has sometimes been described as “the apostle of thanksgiving.” Rightly so. Here are just a couple of samples from the epistles where he either gives thanks or exhorts us to give thanks.

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.”(I Timothy 1:18)

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (I Thessalonians 5:18)

Did you notice that Paul’s thanksgiving is two-pronged?

On the one hand, he thanks God for what he has received personally. On the other hand, he also thanks God for others in his life.

Today we celebrate Thanksgiving Day in Canada. Every available member of the Sam clan is gathering at my parents’ place for a special celebration. Similar gatherings are happening all over our land this weekend. When we gather together as family, we are reminded once again how blessed we are to have one another.

We here at www.destinywordoftheday.com are thankful for the grace of God that has helped us release revelations every our day for one whole year as of Dec. 10. Darren Canning and I are grateful to God for His grace which has kept the revelations coming!

We also thank God for friends who have contributed posts whenever we have needed someone to step in and give us a break.

Most of all, we are extremely thankful to you, our subscribers, for receiving them graciously, commenting occasionally, encouraging us frequently and spurring us to keep on going.

Would you also make Two-Pronged Thanksgiving part and parcel of your daily walk? You may be inspired by the Aguilar family to follow a similar ritual of thanksgiving at every meal. You may wish to embrace the practice of keeping a Thanksgiving Journal.

Please share with the rest of your DWOD family how the Lord leads you in this area? May thanksgiving be an integral part of your life as you advance towards your destiny.