Ye Thankful People

The words of this traditional hymn are so poignant and sweet to me this Thanksgiving. Here is the first verse:

Come, Ye Thankful People, Come
Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home:
All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin;
God, our Maker, doth provide for our wants to be supplied:
Come to God's own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.

We have seen God's providential hand taking care of our family. Yesterday morning I went to the grocery store to purchase groceries for the week. Ten days ago B had given me $100 for groceries. I held off going to the store, hoping to stretch the money. Yet, in that time some other expenses presented themselves and when I was ready to go yesterday I had $50 cash left. B and I had a heated discussion ("what happened to the other $50 that was for groceries?!") but it was what it was and we parted reconciled, but tense. (I am thankful for my husband, because I know he was just concerned that I wouldn't be able to buy everything we would need for this meager amount.) When I arrived at the store I realized that I had left the cash at home in the grocery envelope and had only my wallet and debit card with me. I had to humbly call home and ask if I could use the debit card and then deposit the cash into our account. All this drama at 7 a.m.!

I carefully selected the necessary groceries, sadly passing by clementines and apples and chocolate (!). I called home to ask B his coffee preference, as he has been without coffee for awhile and coffee was on sale. He told me his flavor of choice, but also told me twice that coffee wasn't a necessity and he wanted me to get everything else we needed first. I put the extra large canister into the cart, selected the last items, and proceeded to the checkout. I was pretty sure I had exceeded my $50, so I put four less-than-necessary items last (tomato juice, 10 grain cereal for muffins, rice, and the coffee) and waited to see what the total would be. Even though I would use the debit card, I did not want to exceed the $50 my husband gave me to spend.

$46.something.
Well, that was good, and I had two coupons which would take $2.00 off the total.
Add the rice (for soup and burritos and stir fry).
$48.something
Add the 10 grain mix (we LOVE this!).
$50ish.
Add the tomato juice (it was on sale and will be great in soup this week).
A bit under $52, so it should be okay with the coupons. (Did I mention the coupons were expired?!)
Only the coffee was left.
"The coffee?" the cashier asked.
"Not this time," I said. "My husband will just have to go without for another week."

It was at this point that the cashier quickly bought out her wallet and passed $6 into my hand. "We don't want anyone to have to go without," she said. Then she scanned the coffee, used the $6 to pay for it, took off the $2 from the coupons, and told me the new total: $50.00- EXACTLY.

I thanked her with tears in my eyes, asked God to bless her for her generosity, and then went home, where my husband was overcome by God's goodness and generosity. Not only did we get enough to meet our needs. . . but God also gave him something just because it would make him happy, out of love for my husband. "God our maker, doth supply for our WANTS to be supplied." We have never gone hungry and I know that "God does not allow the children of the righteous to go hungry." He has all the resources, and we marvel at His power and His love in dispersing what we need when we need it.

That afternoon when B brought the mail in, there was an anonymous gift card in an envelope- $100 at Kroger. We went to our knees, thanking God for giving to us so generously. We are moved that the saints would obey and sacrifice, and that we would benefit. Then B added, 'If only you could have waited a little longer to get groceries. . . " Ha.

Today we celebrate Thanksgiving as a thankful family. We will enjoy the afternoon and a feast with friends from law school. Again, God's abundant generosity causes us to wonder. I hope that today you are thankful of heart, too.