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“Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.” But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread?Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered?” Matthew 16:8-10 (Go to Matthew 15: 32-39, to read the second time Jesus multiplies the bread and fish to feed a hungry crowd)

C.H. Spurgeon says about this passage:

“Our Lord as as says to them, ‘Why begin raising questions as to what can be done under this small difficulty? Have I not your own personal wants been richly supplied? Has your store been exhausted even when all your thoughts have gone out towards the multitude, and all your store of bread and fish has been given up to them? What occasion can there be for anxiety in my presence, when I have always supplied your wants?

How foolish they were, but how like we are to them! We seem to learn nothing. After years of experience, our Lord has to say, ‘Do you not yet understand, neither remember?’ … How are our minds dwells on the bread which we are wanting, and how readily it forgets former times when all such wants were abundantly supplied! The many baskets which so amply filled by former providences were the disciples’ own share and store, and therefore they ought not to have forgotten the miraculous festivals. Even the empty baskets should have refreshed their memories, and reminded them of how they had  twice been filled. If it were not for our wretched little faith, and our reasoning among ourselves, the memory of our former deliverances would lift us up beyond all tendency mistrust our God.”

I do not want to forget how my Heavenly Father has filled my empty baskets in the past (and no, I am not necessarily talking about physical provision only) on the contrary, I want to remember and give thanks. And as I remember,  as I read the pages of my gratitude journal, I clearly see how my faith is strengthen and renewed. He has always been faithful, no matter where I have been.

Today I remember and give thanks…

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How He had mercy on me while I was lost seeking my own glory and not His.

I remember the day when our oldest son was very young and had a high fever seizure, and couldn’t come to his senses for several minutes. The doctors feared some brain damage. Our son has none. God delivered us that day, and I still remember and give thanks when I see him doing so well in College.

I remember how God had mercy on my mom and healed her from a terminable cancer when I was a young girl. My children can enjoy today her embrace and her wonderful food.

I remember how God brought my husband and I together. I still love to wake up by his side every morning.

I remember how God has been so good to us in giving us four children.  Each one of them is a miracle.

I remember today how my sister and I,  in our teen years, had nothing in common, nothing; and I am so grateful to see how much we share now in common. That is a gift from God, and I am grateful.

I remember when my basket was full of discontentment; I am grateful to see how the Lord has filled it, little by little with contentment.

I remember how many times people have said that in this life you can hardly friends, but as I look around I see how God has blessed us with so many friends in Christ. We are blessed indeed!

I remember how I battled to have a disciplined spiritual life. Today by God’s grace alone, He has helped me to seek Him early and abide in His Word.

I remember how difficult it was to lose her, but I also remember how the Lord gave us words to sustain us, hope not to faint, and prayers from friends that embraced us. I need to remember this over and over again.

As I remember I am drawn to give thanks to God for filling my baskets with His Providence so many times!

What do you remember today that makes you give thanks?

Becky