A Thanksgiving prayer with thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving!
As I was thinking about what to post, my son mentioned that I should post on Thanksgiving.
So I will. I'll tell about what happened the other day.

We usually pray to thank God for our food before every meal. Sometimes if we forget, somewhere in between. The 3yr. old has at times totally dominated the "Who would like to pray?" She always seems to. Her prayer goes something like this:

(In baby talk, of course)
"God, thank you for our food, Mommy, 1yr. old, 7yr. old, Daddy, 5yr, old, 9yr. old, our house, our clothes, Lobo the dog,my toys.............and for everything!"
(Whew!)

She gets quite upset when she can't say the prayer, but so do some of the others since she wants to do all breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The other day I asked the 7yr. old to pray. This was his prayer:

"God, thank you for the food and for all that you have blessed us with this year. Amen."

I didn't say anything, but I was touched. Touched because he didn't pray in a hurry or from repetition. He meant it. God has blessed us this year. The funny thing is that there isn't as much to go around this year as there has been other years. Yet, God has provided abundantly for us this year. I was touched because my boy saw the provision of God.

He didn't mind that we haven't been able to go out to eat as much as before. He didn't mind that we're eating baked potatoes in place of potato chips for lunch with our sandwich. He counted it a blessing when he realized that God had provided him with a coat when I couldn't find the liner to the coat we did have, and needed a coat. He's appreciated the more frequent desserts I make because Daddy isn't buying the Little Debbie snacks, and I could go on and on.

I was so touched to see that He could see beyond what he can't have, and be thankful for what He does.

When we told the children about the baby that is on the way, they were so excited. The 7yr. old couldn't believe God would give us another baby.

So for Thanksgiving this year, I'm thankful for many things. But I'm very grateful for all my children, who daily show me that God is so good. I'm also thankful for my partner in all this.
I was thinking about him yesterday. He isn't eloquant or polished. He isn't refined. Though there are all kinds of men out there and probably some like him or better, non could match his noble and tender heart. With all his faults and mine, God has blessed us with a beautiful family.

Hope your Thanksgiving is full of good food, good memories, and God.