Give Thanks

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; His love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV)

I like cooking, but only on the weekends is part of my blog profile and it is true. I hate trying to throw a meal together after working all day when people are standing around whining about being hungry. I do like to cook when I have time to put a nice meal together and make things from scratch. The reason for yesterday’s cooking extravaganza was more than just to provide my family with something decent to eat for a change. It was to fulfill a commitment I made months ago. Our historical sites all put together an exhibit at our county fair each year. This year, it was decided to hold a raffle with each site donating a special event such as a private tour, a boat ride or a meal in a historic building as incentive for people to participate. There was no charge for tickets, all you had to do was give your name and contact information so that we could create a database of potential visitors. And it worked! We had over 1,000 entries for the four special events. The winner of the meal in a 1912 farmhouse chose last night for her prize, so I was cooking for her family of five as well as mine. I tried to choose foods that would have been served in a Florida farmhouse. One of my staff added a salad, rolls and banana pudding cake to the menu. After a private tour of the historical park, the family sat down on benches around an old wooden table next to a wood burning stove and ate the meal we prepared. I’m not used to cooking for strangers so was nervous about my selections and how the food would be received. We did not stick around to serve the meal; only after they were done eating did we interrupt their privacy to go in a clean up. I think I know how a waitress must feel for they did not stop to thank us or compliment us on the food before leaving the park and driving away. I admit to having my feelings a little hurt, but tried to remember the reason that I participated. I didn’t do it for our guests, but for my staff member whose idea it was. She was feeling overwhelmed at doing the meal so I offered to step in and help. For her, I didn’t mind one bit. Particularly since there were enough leftovers to feed my family two nights in a row! She was very grateful and thanked me for my help. But, it would have been nice to have heard a thank you from those for whom the meal was prepared! It made me think of how God must feel when He blesses me with something special and I fail to offer Him the proper thanks. He gives to me because He loves me not because of anything I do. Still, I know He loves it when I remember to say thanks!