11/27/2025
Greetings my Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I would like to personally thank our President, Dr. Samuel C. Tobert Jr. and the leadership of the National Baptist Convention of America International, Inc., for this unique privilege to share with you a few thoughts, relative to Thanksgiving.
Growing up in the Midwest, we always looked forward to this time of year as we joined together with family and friends for good wholesome food and fellowship. We were taught that Thanksgiving was more than just once a year, but that every day should be a day of thanksgiving.
Gratitude is a gift that helps us recognize God’s grace in every aspect of our lives. In our text today, the Apostle Paul writes “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” Gratitude opens our eyes to the grace of God, which is evident in every blessing we receive.
Gratitude is a gift. It’s something that God gives us, and in return, it opens our hearts to recognize His grace. The gift mentioned in the text refers to the gift of salvation but is a reminder that everything we receive from God, ought to be received with thanksgiving.
When we recognize God’s grace, we see it in every part of our lives. In the food we eat, the relationships we enjoy, and in the air we breathe. I talked to a young man recently, who complained that “God was not blessing him.” I proceeded to tell him, that in this day of shutdowns, that we should thank God that we’re not experiencing a “Divine Shutdown.”
I asked him, “What if God decided to shut down, because of our lack of thankfulness to Him? What if He decided to take the air we breathe away from us for 15 minutes, because of our unwillingness to thank Him for all He’s done for us?” Most of us would be dead. I told him every breath we breathe is a blessing. The average one of us inhales and exhales approximately 22,000 times a day, and for that, we ought to be thankful.
So, one thing is important, we can’t experience the full depth of God’s grace, if we’re not thankful for it. Gratitude opens our eyes to see how richly God has blessed us. It’s like putting on a new set of glasses - suddenly we see everything in a new light.
This Thanksgiving, I challenge you to reflect on God’s grace in your life. Take the time to think about the blessings you’ve received, both material and spiritual. Gratitude is a gift. Don’t let it go unwrapped. Open it every day, and let it change your heart. As you do, you’ll see more of God’s grace and your life will overflow with thanksgiving. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Dr. Derek E. White
Pastor/Teacher, Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church
Richmond, IN
4th Vice President-Recommendation
National Baptist Convention of America Int'l, Inc.
