Here is what we are thankful for this week:
Parks:
I am thankful that God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation…” in Genesis 1.
I am thankful that with those words, and later with the declaration that it was “good”, God designed a pathway involving hormones, cells, and pigments for us to enjoy this time of year. Shorter periods of daylight coupled with colder temperatures trigger a hormone in deciduous trees that sends a chemical message to every leaf. This message is to, essentially, “get off.” Cells then appear at the exact point where the leaf and stem meet. These cells start to rapidly divide, creating what is called an abscission layer. The division of these “abscission” cells prevents nutrients from reaching the leaves and also prevents chlorophyll from being replaced. Therefore, the leaves start to die just as other pigments (yellow, red, and orange) start to be seen and enjoyed by many people.
Thank God for dying leaves.
Chris:
I’m thankful that my nervous system, cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, digestive system, respiratory system, and other systems that I don’t know or understand ALL function without my direction. I’d make a mess of them if I were trying to coordinate all those processes.
“What do you have that you did not receive?” 1 Cor. 4:7
Paul is writing about spiritual gifts, but we can apply this more broadly to trace everything back to God.
- On a vocational level, I may work hard and feel that I’ve “earned” some things, but that’s only because God has opened opportunities for me, given me a family that taught me the importance of hard work, and entrusted me with responsibilities.
- On the biological level, God placed me on a planet that is 93 million miles from the sun–the perfect distance to support life on this earth so I can function at all, much less work hard. He is the one who designed all the systems of my body to function in concert with one another without my directing their processes.
“Contentment grows deep in the soil of a thousand micro-gratitudes.”
– Scott Anderson
Whatever gifts of God you’re enjoying today, use this verse to trace that gift back to God–“what do you have that you did not receive?”
Mark:
Earlier this week, I started a fire in our fire pit. I knew we would not have time to sit around and enjoy the fire. Basically the reason I started it was for the smell. For the rest of the night every time I went outside, I enjoyed the smell of burning coals and logs coupled with the crisp air of the Autumn evening. [note: if you do not particularly like the way a fire smells when you start it with something like leaves. Use dryer lent to start it. It burns fast and the neighbors will think you are doing and incredible amount of laundry].
I am thankful for campfires, sure. But this week, I am especially thankful for the smell of a campfire.
How about you? Leave us a comment and let us know what you are thankful for this week. We want to know so we can be thankful too.
Dragon Creek 