October 30th, 2025
A sign in a hardware store declared, “We specialize in helping Do-It-Yourselfers.” I chuckled at the irony: even Do-It-Yourselfers sometimes need someone to help them!
Most of us probably have made the confident assertion, “I want to do it myself,” many times: when we were children learning to tie our shoes, teenagers learning to drive a car, or newlyweds establishing a home independent from our parents. Actually, though, it’s surprising how little we really do by ourselves. Our daily lives depend heavily on the products and services others provide.
Every morning, I am awakened by an alarm on a cell phone assembled for Apple by factory workers in Zhengzhou, China. Eventually, I crawl out of my bed (built by a furniture factory in North Carolina), to turn on the light, and step into a warm shower (thanks to the people at the local utility companies). I prepare to face the day by using products (soap, razor, toothpaste) someone else manufactured for my convenience. I owe my morning breakfast many times to the folks at Quaker Oats, a baker at Country Hearth Bread Company, and a Florida orange grower.
Finally, I leave for work wearing comfortable clothes thanks to cotton farmers and garment workers (my shirt), cattle farmers and leather workers (my shoes and belt), and sometimes silkworms and children (the tie my kids gave me for Father’s Day). On the way to pick up a hot breakfast sandwich (prepared by fast food workers) before going to the office, I pump my own gas at a self-service station – but only after someone else discovered, drilled, refined, hauled, and stored the petroleum for my convenience.
By 9:00 in the morning, I have already benefited from the efforts of people who live all around America and the world!
Maybe things would be different if I didn’t live in a city. After all, people in more rural areas are known for their self-reliance and pioneer spirit. But I spent past summers working on my brother’s farm, and I noticed that rural people also tend to be grateful people. Those who live close to the land understand both the importance and the limitations of hard work. Most of the farmers I know seem keenly aware that they grow their crops in partnership with God.
I treasure my childhood memories of Thanksgiving Day family gatherings, surrounded by the wonderful aromas of roast turkey and home-baked bread, listening to the excited voices of family members sharing the blessings of life. I find great comfort and encouragement in the memories of Godly parents and grandparents who instilled in me an appreciation for the simple things of life and the necessity of giving thanks to God in all things, good or not so good.
Somehow, we all need to find our own personal way to “enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise” (Psalm 100:4). Though I enjoy the food and football, the parades and pumpkin pie, I am determined not to let my Thanksgiving be defined by the self-indulgent slogan “Eat till you pop, shop till you drop.” This season’s festivities remind us to look outside ourselves and to humbly exclaim, “Thanks, Lord. Thank you for your indescribable gifts!”
The Bible warns, “When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God…. You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth…” (Deuteronomy 8:10, 17-18).
America has prospered by emphasizing self-reliance. But we must never think we did it all ourselves. Our nation will cease to be great if we forget to be grateful. Take time out this Thanksgiving season to truly give thanks to God for his bountiful blessings.
With A Grateful Heart,
Pastor David
Most of us probably have made the confident assertion, “I want to do it myself,” many times: when we were children learning to tie our shoes, teenagers learning to drive a car, or newlyweds establishing a home independent from our parents. Actually, though, it’s surprising how little we really do by ourselves. Our daily lives depend heavily on the products and services others provide.
Every morning, I am awakened by an alarm on a cell phone assembled for Apple by factory workers in Zhengzhou, China. Eventually, I crawl out of my bed (built by a furniture factory in North Carolina), to turn on the light, and step into a warm shower (thanks to the people at the local utility companies). I prepare to face the day by using products (soap, razor, toothpaste) someone else manufactured for my convenience. I owe my morning breakfast many times to the folks at Quaker Oats, a baker at Country Hearth Bread Company, and a Florida orange grower.
Finally, I leave for work wearing comfortable clothes thanks to cotton farmers and garment workers (my shirt), cattle farmers and leather workers (my shoes and belt), and sometimes silkworms and children (the tie my kids gave me for Father’s Day). On the way to pick up a hot breakfast sandwich (prepared by fast food workers) before going to the office, I pump my own gas at a self-service station – but only after someone else discovered, drilled, refined, hauled, and stored the petroleum for my convenience.
By 9:00 in the morning, I have already benefited from the efforts of people who live all around America and the world!
Maybe things would be different if I didn’t live in a city. After all, people in more rural areas are known for their self-reliance and pioneer spirit. But I spent past summers working on my brother’s farm, and I noticed that rural people also tend to be grateful people. Those who live close to the land understand both the importance and the limitations of hard work. Most of the farmers I know seem keenly aware that they grow their crops in partnership with God.
I treasure my childhood memories of Thanksgiving Day family gatherings, surrounded by the wonderful aromas of roast turkey and home-baked bread, listening to the excited voices of family members sharing the blessings of life. I find great comfort and encouragement in the memories of Godly parents and grandparents who instilled in me an appreciation for the simple things of life and the necessity of giving thanks to God in all things, good or not so good.
Somehow, we all need to find our own personal way to “enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise” (Psalm 100:4). Though I enjoy the food and football, the parades and pumpkin pie, I am determined not to let my Thanksgiving be defined by the self-indulgent slogan “Eat till you pop, shop till you drop.” This season’s festivities remind us to look outside ourselves and to humbly exclaim, “Thanks, Lord. Thank you for your indescribable gifts!”
The Bible warns, “When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God…. You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth…” (Deuteronomy 8:10, 17-18).
America has prospered by emphasizing self-reliance. But we must never think we did it all ourselves. Our nation will cease to be great if we forget to be grateful. Take time out this Thanksgiving season to truly give thanks to God for his bountiful blessings.
With A Grateful Heart,
Pastor David
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