Saying Grace

The quotation stared at me from the page, “What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?” - Max Lucado.

Oh, my…

I have a great number of food allergies, so you would think if ever someone thanked God for every meal, it should be me. But sadly, that’s not the case.

When I grew up, we only said “grace” on special occasions, Sundays, or if we had company. I struggle to remember to take time to be thankful for my food when I sit down to eat. 

            This year, we’ve had a cottage cheese shortage. My husband, Bob, does the grocery shopping and came home with news.

            “Sue, the store had no cottage cheese today. I’ll try going to another grocery store.”

            When he returned, he gave me his best sympathetic look. “Sorry, Honey. That grocery didn’t have any either.  But don’t worry, I’ll keep looking.  Why don’t you come with me?”

            When we saw the bare shelf at the next store, we asked the manager why. “The supplier hasn’t sent us the amount we ordered.  They’re only sending us a fraction of what we ask for. We’re supposed to get a shipment in on Thursday. You can try coming back then.”

Do I like cottage cheese? Not really, but it’s something I can eat without having extreme upper respiratory symptoms, and it’s my main source of protein. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner is cottage cheese on most days.

A new perspective dawned on me. Food is not limitless. Many people live this truth every day. They can’t go buy groceries, and don’t know if they will eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The next food we eat is by God’s grace, so saying thanks acknowledges His provision for us. I want to make thanking Him a habit.

So far, by his mercy, we always manage to find some cottage cheese.  Demand decreased, and supply increased. I’ve not had to go without for even one meal. When I see it on the shelf at the store, I’m grateful. I don’t have to love something to be thankful for it.

When I prepare my meals, I’m trying to thank God right then. As we shop, pull food from the fridge, chop and peel, these are the times I practice saying thanks. I ask God to help me remember, because there are so many distractions around mealtime. I hope to live thanksgiving at every meal and be grateful for my continued health and survival despite allergies.

I’m also praying and giving money for relief to those living with political upheaval, in famine areas, and food deserts. When I’m blessed, I have a responsibility to help others.

Susan Boltz

Psalm107:8-9 NIV  Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for mankind, for He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.