Let us give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and God’s wonderful deeds to humankind, for God satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. (Psalm 107:8-9)

Tomorrow is a day of great feasting for our people. It is a day to gather with loved ones and to do as the holiday suggests – give thanks.

There are so many blessings that we can list. Ranging from the gifts of family to the chance for yummy food and football, there are many we can choose from. But the one that should be on every list is the love of God.

Unlike human love, God’s love is steadfast, unfailing, reckless, and all-encompassing. Even the strongest love on this earth cannot compare, no matter how hard we try. And scripture is correct to suggest that we are only able to love because God has first loved us.

But more than simply saying God loves us, God acts to display what this love looks like – satisfying the thirsty and feeding the hungry. Caring for others, especially those who have little or nothing. It is not a deed of condescending charity that God enacts. It is instead an opportunity to serve Christ in all people. For it is in loving others and serving others, walking together through this life of faith, that we see God.

So let us give thanks, remembering that while many of us are feasting, many others are not. And once we have said our prayers of thanksgiving, let us live those prayers out in our lives by following God’s example of extravagant love – seeking to serve the face of Christ we see in everyone we meet.