It’s Thanksgiving – who do you thank? When I first heard the song “All Good Gifts” in the old ragamuffin movie version of Godspell, I got choked up. But I didn’t understand why. And even though I doubted God’s existence, I began to cry when they sang:
We thank thee, then, O Father,
For all things bright and good,
The seed time and the harvest,
Our life, our health, our food:
No gifts have we to offer
For all thy love imparts,
But that which thou desirest,
Our humble, thankful hearts.
Not just because of Stephen Schwartz’s lilting melody or the soloist’s sweet tenor. But because the centuries-old words touched some deep longing in me. A longing that existed before my atheist-turned-agnostic-turned-I’m-working-on-it theories. Long before me. A longing to know, love, and thank my Creator.
I learned later that virtually every study on happiness shows an inseparable connection to gratitude. Humans are wired to give thanks. We’re made that way.
Four years after I saw that movie, I took a leap of faith. And for the first time I began thanking God “for all things bright and good.” But most of all, because I had “no gifts to offer,” I offered God the one thing he desired most, my “humble, thankful heart.” And I still do. But when I forget and focus on mere things, the longing returns. And then I remember what I’m made for.
On this, America’s official Thanksgiving day, I’m grateful to all who love and support me–my wife, my family and friends–and to those who are kinder to me than I deserve. But most of all, I’m grateful to the One who made them. The One responsible for all good gifts. It’s Thanksgiving…
Who do you thank?
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. I thank the Lord each day for all the blessings I have.
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Amen! Thank you Jesus.
I wish I had a Lord to thank, so maybe I should learn to thank the Lord in me to learn to be humble eyes wide an full of aw to what I percieve.
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Being born as a human is a big Gift , for the seen and unseen blessings. ✍️ Happy Thanksgiving Day Mitch! 🎉
Thank you, Ramani!
I thank the Lord for my everyday blessing. Happy Thanksgiving
Thank you, and likewise, Eileen.
Happy Thanksgiving!! Thankful for your talent and what you bring to us each week! ❤️
Thank you, and happy Thanksgiving to you, Kiki❣
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Amen, Joy!
Beautiful and touching. Happy Thanksgiving to you & yours!
Likewise and thank you, Christina!
A Jesús mi Señor y Salvador, le agradezco por tanto amor recibido de El y por su Fidelidad
Amen, Norma.
I thank God for all He has done for me here on earth and what is to come in eternity. I also thank Him for people like you, who share their faith with others using their God given talents to do so. Thank you, Mitch, for you. You are a blessing to many!
Likewise, dear Kathy❣
Thanking God for everything and everyone in my life. Thank YOU, too, Mitch, for your constant reminders of His goodness. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your lived ones.
Aw, likewise and thank you, Caroll.
Happy Thanksgiving, dear Mitch!
Likewise and thank you, dear Luisa!
🎀🎀🎀
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. When we lived in the US (27 years ago) I learned about the background of the American Thanksgiving through my daughter’s pre-school.
Thank you, Erika.
I am most thankful for 12-Step program re addiction, it’s people and support, it’s presentation of productive life changes , new pathways and for 23 1/2 years clean and sober. All this and more, I attribute to the glorious healing power of Jesus. His healing that is available is an aspect often not valued or recognized and absorbed even by those of us in faith, because there is so much other church stuff and theology that monopolizes our thoughts and efforts. And Luke was a physician… If one remains in active addiction nothing for which to be thankful will enter our lives because if we are unconnected to God , we are not available to receive His love and blessings.
ooops – my error: correct “it’s” to “its” line one of comment
Amen, Carl, and continued blessings on your journey of sobriety and faith. 🙏
Happy Thanksgiving!
Likewise and thank you, Scott!
Happy Thanksgiving Day 🎉
Thank you, Chitrangada.
Happy Thanksgiving, Mitch.
Likewise and thank you, Steve.
Happy and blessed Thanksgiving to you and your family, Mitch.
Likewise and thank you, Mags.
Happy Thanksgiving, Mitch.
Thank you and likewise, Andrew.
You’re welcome. Thanks.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. 🙏
Likewise, Tansy.
Happy Thanksgiving, Mitch! I am grateful for this space you share, my husband and family, friends, a job I still love doing, and good health. Enjoy the day and make memories!
Likewise, new friend!
Several parts of Godspell still bring a tear to my eye, Mitch – including this – especially Jesus’ spoken verse during the instrumental. Yes – Happy Thanksgiving.
Likewise, Malcolm.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family Mitch.
Thank you, Iba!
Blessings!
Happy Thanksgiving Mitch 🙂 pity that doesn’t exist in France….
Merci, Martine. Does France have its own holiday dedicated to some kind of thanksgiving?
Unhappily no. We have so many things coming from the USA, but not this great tradition. Perhaps one day 😉…
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family have a blessed day. Impressed reading your posts:)
Why, thank you, SJ.
Happy Thanksgiving, Mitch.
Thank you, and likewise, Iman.
Hey friend
Totally feel you! 🙏 Gratitude really hits deep when you remember who’s behind all the good stuff. Cheers to humble hearts and big blessings! 💛
Likewise, Hary❣
Happy Thanksgiving 🦃
Thank you, and likewise, Jolene!
The soloist sang “All Good Gifts” at my wedding many years ago.
Perfect.
Pingback: It’s Thanksgiving – Who Do You Thank? – QuietMomentsWithGod
Happy Thanksgiving, Mitch!
Thank you, and likewise, Jennie!
😀
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you, and likewise, Imelda!
This statement is wonderfully profound: “…because I had “no gifts to offer,” I offered God the one thing he desired most, my “humble, thankful heart.” And I still do.” Happy Thanksgiving, Mitch! 🙂
Likewise, dear Nancy❣
I thank God, for He’s always faithful and He loves me the way I am.
Happy Thanksgiving 🦃
He does indeed, and thank you, Julie.
MItch, I hope you and yours had a great Thanksgiving!
We did, and likewise I hope, Bruce!
Happy Thanksgiving Mitch! 🦃
Thank you, T, likewise❣
My pleasure.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you, Daisy. Likewise❣
The movies message still holds up. I loved this as a kid, and I still do.
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Well, today I am thanking YOU, Mitch, for this great reminder of the Source of all that is good and bright and wonderful. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Thank you, and likewise, my Anonymous friend.
Amen, Brother. You said it well!
Thank you, Russell.
All the things God gave to me. Even for those, I didn’t want at all. And for those from whom he saved me and my love ones.
Lovely, Godspell is one of my favorites! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Thank you, Dana❣
Un post estremamente interessante Cercherò il film che non conosco. Il giorno del ringraziamento così come altre festività dovrebbero essere praticate ogni giorno soprattutto se consideriamo la povertà del mondo punto esclamativo Un abbraccio E un grazie di cuore🌿💚
Vero, Luna. Grazie❣
Buon weekend!
We all have many blessings from God!
I shared my thoughts on the topic of thanksgiving and appreciation in two of my recent short videos 🙂
https://youtube.com/shorts/5PuVxKfB5Tg?si=wybfpI-bH4c780GV
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https://youtube.com/shorts/eV5Wkdh10GA?si=VQA6kQ-B089tlNyJ
Delightful videos, Anna.
Wonderful post for Thanksgiving, Mitch! Thanks for sharing!
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.
Amen, Peggy❣
Love this!! Thank you for sharing your heart!! 🙂
My privilege, Katie.