A Note in Your Lunchbox: Giving Thanks in All Things

By Lydia Floren

For years I packed lunches for my husband and kids. Because food is NOT my thing, I tried lots of different ways to streamline this, including making 20+ PB&J sandwiches at a time, and freezing them for the week.  That way, all I had to do in the morning rush, was grab one from the freezer and throw it in a box with a few other prepared items.  Most days, I tucked a card in each lunch with  a Bible verse written on it – a little spiritual refreshment for midday, to go along with the physical nourishment.

Typically, I wrote out these verse cards in the early morning, when the house was still quiet.  As I prayed and meditated, preparing for the day, I would ask God to focus me on one particular verse to share, and if there was anything additional He was leading me to share.  Then I would pull out my stack of blank cards and start writing.  Five cards each day.  Twenty-five handwritten cards per week.

Did those verse cards have an impact on my family? Yes, I know they did for 2 reasons:                 -The kids have told me so. (They still have some of those cards.)                                                        -God’s word is powerful. It always has an impact.

Sure, there were some days those notes didn’t get read.  But other days, they were read over and over again, and even shared with friends at the lunch table. Samuel says he used to pass them around, so everyone  could take a shot at deciphering my handwriting.  (Who knew that my doctor-handwriting would have a positive benefit?)

The Power of Habit

Those cards impacted my family, but what I didn’t realize until years later, was how much they influenced me.  The practice of writing out 25 verse cards a week enabled God’s truths to penetrate deep into my heart. They pop into my head at unexpected – and timely – moments,  blessing me with their God-inspired wisdom.

The Habit of Giving Thanks in All Things

I think there are lots of habits – repetitive choices – that bless our lives, and then keep on blessing us.  They start with small decisions in a moment or day, but their cumulative effect is powerful.  There are several other such habits that have blessed me like this over the years, but one rises to the top:  giving thanks in all things.

Thanksgiving Restores My Joy.

Choosing – repeatedly – to give thanks in all things, changes my perspective.  It shifts my focus, from my problems and weakness, to His sufficiency and grace.  Thanksgiving also changes my attitude. It refreshes my hope in the future, and strengthens my faith in God’s goodness.  Most important, thanksgiving restores my joy. In the practice of thanksgiving, I remember that God is at work, and He does love me and everyone else in the world.

Things to give thanks for:

• The last 24 hrs. People and events. God works all things to good.
• God, my loving Father
  • His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
  • His working in my life and in this world, even when I don’t see it.
  • His commitment to me personally, to always be with me – within me, to restore my soul every day, to lead me in the way I need to go.
• Myself
  • The gift of life, and of this day.
  • My unique identity, value, belonging, and calling.
  • My limitations, and God’s limitlessness.
• Others
  • Those I know (especially those that are dear to me), and those I don’t know
  • Those I will cross paths with
• My concerns
  • That God knows my concerns before I do, and he will take care of them, and lead me in the next step.
  • Perspective:  Problems are just opportunities for God’s work to shine.
• The next 24 hrs.
  • The people and circumstances I will encounter in this day.
  • God’s faithfulness to lead me in the way I need to go.
  • God will work all things to good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Giving thanks in all things,the habit of thanksgiving, is like writing a note for your lunchbox:  a message of hope that seeps into your heart and soul bringing refreshment when you least expect it, and may most need it. 

 Please share with us:  what are you thankful for?