St. Seraphim of Sarov Orthodox Church
872 N. 29th St. Boise, ID
an American parish of the Russian Orthodox Church
On Thankfulness to God - St. Tikhon of Zadonsk

 

God is your creator, deliverer, supreme benefactor, and good provider. He created you just as He gives you every good thing, since without His goodness you could not live even for a minute. You do not see your Benefactor with these eyes, but you see the benefits He has given you. You see the sun, the moon and His stars which illumine you. You see the fire that warms you and cooks your food. You see the food which satisfies you, you see the clothing by which your naked body is covered. You see all other countless blessings which He gave you for your needs and comfort.

Seeing, then, and receiving these benefits, remember your unseen Benefactor everywhere and always with love, and thank Him for all His benefits with a pure heart. The greatest and highest of all His blessings is that by His good will Christ, His Only-Begotten Son, came to us and redeemed us by His precious Blood and suffering from the devil, hell, and death. In this work He showed us His unspeakable goodness to us. We must, then, always gaze with faith upon this great work of God so incomprehensible to the mind and remember God Who loved us unworthy ones. We must thank Him from our whole heart, worship Him, praise, hymn, and glorify Him with our heart and lips. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He has visited and redeemed His people, and hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David (Lk 1:68-69)

You, too should always remember this great work of God and marvel at it, and thank God from your heart, and live as it pleases God, who came into the world to save sinners, lest you offend Him with your ingratitude. He desires to save you, since He came into the world for your sake, and suffered and died in His holy flesh. You should fulfill His holy will, then, and take care for the salvation of your soul with all diligence. Be thankful to Him and live in the world humbly, with love, meekly and patiently, as He Himself lived. He also desires the same of you.