Thankful Heart 

(our theme for November)

James 1:17

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

I often think about nature when I think of God’s good and perfect gifts. Perhaps that’s why I studied biology in college.

My college advisor was a botanist who encouraged me to take field botany. It was quite an eye-opening experience. Even the smallest plants and flowers reveal great complexity when looking through a magnifying loop. 

The process for identifying plants was fascinating to me—almost like solving a mystery. By answering a series of questions with two possible answers, you can identify a plant. I was amazed. Of course, the complexity of a plant is nothing compared to the complexity of animals, humans, or the planet. In examining the complexity of something so small, it’s easy to be in awe of creation and the Creator. 

We don’t need a magnifying lens or a taxonomic guide to see God’s gifts all around us, from plants and animals to friends and family and love and peace. Everything around us is a reflection of God’s love for us. The challenge is to not take these good gifts for granted.    

The second part of this verse reminds us of God’s constancy. He is the same today, tomorrow, and forever. When we have good, bad, or frustrating days, it often affects our interactions with others. That is, we are not the same each day—our response to others may vary depending on circumstances and timing. 

How comforting to know that God’s interactions with us do not change. His care and concern for us never changes. When we are angry and upset, God is there. When we are elated, God is there. In a world that often seems unstable, God is our stability. 

In this season of gratitude, may we reflect on the good and perfect gifts God has given and will continue to give us. May we praise God with a thankful heart. 

Let us pray.

God, help us recognize every good and perfect gift you provide. Let those gifts remind us of your faithfulness and increase our trust that you are our provider. Further, let us share the gifts we have received with others that they may learn of your steadfast love throughout the generations. Amen. 

 

This devotional was written by Kathryn King and read by Greta Smith.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. 

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org. 

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.