Gratitude in a World of Abundance

Gratitude in a World of Abundance

Devotion by Joe F. Walenciak, March 2025

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV)

A few years ago, I stopped by a donut shop and noticed there was only one bear claw left in the display case.  I asked for it and a cup of coffee, grateful to have snagged what seemed to be the prize pastry of the day.  But as I stood in line to pay, I heard a small, disappointed, somewhat angry voice behind me say, “There aren't any more... that man took the last one!”

Turning around, I saw a little boy pouting, pointing directly at me, and complaining to his mother—clearly upset that he had missed out on what he wanted.  But what struck me was that he was standing right in front of a case filled with a bounty of other delicious treats—cinnamon rolls, apple fritters, twists, donuts, and a big variety of pastries of every kind.

At first, I felt compassion for him and even thought about giving him my bear claw.  But then, a quiet realization settled in: life doesn't always give us what we want, but it often gives us more than enough. 

Sometimes, part of growing up—and part of growing spiritually—is learning to be grateful for the abundance around us, even if we don't get the one thing we had our heart set on.  That moment of compassion melted into the realization that we should not enable selfishness.  There comes a time when we must learn life’s hard lessons.  So I took my bear claw to an open table and ate it with my cup of coffee.

In that moment, I felt like God burned that image into my mind as a reminder for my own life.  How often do we pout over the one thing we don't have while standing in a life full of God's blessings?  How often do we focus on what's missing, rather than giving thanks for what is?

Scripture calls us to “give thanks in all circumstances,” not because every situation is perfect, but because God's goodness never runs out.  His grace, mercy, love, and provision are overflowing, even when life doesn't go the way we expect.  Gratitude is not about getting what we want; it's about recognizing what we've already been given.

I enjoyed that bear claw, and I sipped my coffee with a deeper sense of thankfulness—not just for the pastry, but for God's quiet lesson.  Be grateful.  Look around.  See the abundance.

Reflection Questions:

What am I focusing on today—the one thing I don't have, or the many blessings God has already provided?

How can I practice gratitude even when life doesn't give me what I hoped for?  

Is there a way I can encourage someone else to see God's abundance in their life?