Abundance: a word that easily comes to mind as we contemplate Thanksgiving Day.
Many dining room tables will be filled to overflowing with delectable offerings this afternoon. Most Americans will consume a plentiful amount of turkey, salads, vegetables, and pies. Food in abundance has become synonymous with Thanksgiving.
Very soon Steve and I will head over to our son’s house to celebrate Thanksgiving with family–for the first time in about ten years. We and our three children, their spouses, and children have lived states apart for that long, and we’ve had to wait until Christmas each year for get-togethers. (Sadly, not all of us will be able to gather today, but most.) In June, Steve and I moved close to our older son and his family, not far from our younger son and his wife.
Friends will also be joining us this afternoon, making for a full, heart-warming day. Even more than the abundant feasting, I look forward to the abundant togetherness—the camaraderie, affection, story-telling, reminiscing, and humor.
But abundance also describes the plentiful amount of blessings bestowed by another family member, our Heavenly Father.
His abundance includes:
Grace.
“Those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:17, Ryrie).
We were ruined by sin. But out of his loving forgiveness and acceptance, God offers the gift of eternal life through his Son, Jesus.
Mercy.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with his ample mercy has given us new birth into a life of hope, due to the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3, Berkely Version).
When God gives us what we do not deserve, that’s grace. When God does not give us what we do deserve, that’s mercy. He is abundantly generous with both.
Peace and security.
“I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security” (Jeremiah 33:6).
We can rest in calm assurance of God’s loving care and his provision of salvation.
Love and faithfulness.
“The Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness(Exodus 34:6).
God expresses his love in countless ways. He is faithful, never forgetting a promise. And he never fails to provide for our needs.
Goodness.
“They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness” (Psalm 145:7).
All of God’s glorious attributes are generously poured out upon us day by day.
Holy Spirit.
“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously” (Titus 3:5-6).
Empowerment, renewal, guidance, and comfort are just a few of the benefits our precious Holy Spirit provides.
Life
“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10, KJV).
Not mere existence, but a rich, full, satisfying life, in relationship forever with The. King. Of. The. Universe. Incredible.
* * * * * * * * * *
How is it possible, Lord, you would even want to open the storehouses of heaven to pour out this abundance upon us? How do we begin to thank you for such rich, abounding blessings? Words are pathetically inadequate. All we can offer you is our lives—to live for the praise of your abundant glory. Help me to do so—today and always.
(Photo credit: www.happyfathersday.com.)
From the Inside Out 
Have a Blessed Thanksgiving with your family. Love you and miss you.
We did have a delightful day! I pray you did also, Laura.
Very nice Thanksgiving post. We are really a people spoiled by the Lord. I’m so happy you can spend it with your family after so long a time. Enjoy your day!!! Lord bless you!
Thank you, Levi. Indeed, God abundantly blesses WAY beyond what we deserve. Praise him for his gracious lovingkindness!
Oh, Nancy, what a joy to be able to be with family. So happy for you! God bless your time.
God did bless our time! I keep saying, “We’re living our dream,” because for so long we looked forward to being close to at least two out of our three children. And now, here we are!
Thank you, Nancy, for that beautiful Thanksgiving message. I’m glad you and Steve were able to be with your son Eric and his family. We spent Thanksgiving with our son and his family at our granddaughter’s lovely home. Two year old Rebekah delighted with entertainment that only a two year old can provide. Yes, indeed, once again we have been shown God’s love and reaffirmation of His goodness. Love to you both.
Oh, yes–toddler-watching is great fun! Elena is a bit younger than your Rebekah, but still provides plenty of entertainment. And I couldn’t agree with you more: God’s love never fails and his goodness knows no end. Hallelujah!
How neat you can now spend this time with the family. That is priceless. I too spent yesterday with two of the three kids and their families – feeling very blessed, full and grateful for the abundance you highlighted so well.
Full and grateful–perfect adjectives for the day after Thanksgiving, Jean–especially one spent with family. But you’re right: those of us who know and love Jesus can be full and grateful every day because of his abundant goodness to us! Thank you for stopping by with your encouragement.
Thank you so much for this inspiring post. We are indeed so blessed. I pray we will see our blessedness as means rather than an end. May God show us how to use our abundance to bring Him glory and people to see Jesus. Thanks again for always pointing us to Him. 🙂
I love your heart, Heidi and your desire to use God’s abundance to bring Him glory. Amen and me, too!
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I love words like ‘abundant’, ‘poured out’, and ‘abounding’. The lavish feast of blessings that are mine to enjoy daily…it is humbling and overwhelming. What a God we serve!
I hope you had a lovely holiday with your family! Blessings to you this week– 🙂
Our family did have a delightful Thaksgiving, Rebeca. I trust you did as well. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. Isn’t it amazing how one word (like abundance) can generate so much thought and emotion?
It was just me, Mom, and Dad, but I give thanks that I still have my folks. Not many people my age can say that…and for that I give thanks! And we had beef stew instead of turkey. It was a delicious treat.
My favorite part of this post? “When God gives us what we do not deserve, that’s grace. When God does not give us what we do deserve, that’s mercy. He is abundantly generous with both.”
Steve and I have enjoyed small, quiet Thanksgiving celebrations, too. When much of life is a whirlwind of activity, a peaceful day of rest can be perfectly delightful!