Where Gratitude Meets Generosity: A Thanksgiving Invitation

By Devon Corey, Director of Advancement & Alumni Engagement 

I love this time of year. Don't you? The weather gets a little brisk, people seem to look up from their phones a little more, and festive lights appear everywhere! Thanksgiving is when we all pile around a table, eat way more than we probably should, and convince ourselves we actually know how to carve a turkey. But honestly, between the food comas and trying to get a decent family photo, it's also a good time to be grateful for all the ways God has been good to us.  

Gratitude isn't just for the holidays— it's something we should practice all year. First Thessalonians 5:18 says, "GIVE THANKS in all circumstances..." That includes even the not-so-good moments, like when the cranberry sauce comes out like soup instead of that jiggly cylinder we were hoping for. When we focus on being thankful, we stop obsessing over what we don't have and start noticing everything we do have. What if we could flip a switch and suddenly see every way God has blessed us? We'd see the prayers that were answered, the random blessings we received, the new friends we have, and the fact that we've survived another year.  

Gratitude has a way of stirring generosity. When you’re genuinely thankful, you naturally want to share your time, your resources, your attention, and even your patience when someone takes ages to pass the mashed potatoes. Gratitude and generosity are like best friends; you rarely see one without the other. Once you realize how much God has blessed you, giving becomes second nature. And I’m not just talking about giving "stuff."  

Sometimes generosity looks like listening without checking your phone, offering a genuine smile, or giving up the last slice of pumpkin pie. Proverbs 11:25 says, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” (NIV). That’s not just a nice thought; it’s a promise! When we live with gratitude, generosity flows out like a contagious joy that brings people together. And honestly, when we’re generous, we show people what God is like because He gave us everything when He sent Jesus. True generosity is less about having and more about giving, especially to those who might need a little extra love this season. 

Living with a heart full of gratitude and generosity also gives you purpose. We're not meant just to go through the motions. We're supposed to live intentionally, letting our faith and connection with God guide us. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." That means even the mundane—like conversations with a new friend, interactions at church, and even those awkward family moments—matters. Living with purpose doesn't mean you've got it all figured out. It means trusting God, who does. It's about showing up, being present, and letting Him work through you in ways you might not even recognize at first.  

So, whether you're leading prayer at your Thanksgiving table or just helping clean up the mac and cheese around the kids’ table, you're doing exactly what you were made to do. Like we end all our family prayers: We cannot wait to see what God is going to do IN US and THROUGH US this Thanksgiving season.  

You are loved.