Put Mercy On The Menu

One of the many reasons people look forward to Thanksgiving is the opportunity to have a special meal with family and friends. In addition to the turkey, favorite dishes include stuffing, candied sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, creamy mashed potatoes, string beans, and others. By now, those hosting are gathering those last-minute items to ensure their spread will make everyone happy on Thursday, and those invited are anticipating a nice feast.
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Whether you have people coming over or you have been invited as a guest, one thing you don't want to leave off the menu is mercy. See, mercy and giving thanks have a unique relationship. Psalm 106:1, "Give thanks to the Lord, who is good, whose mercy endures forever."
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First, genuine gratitude comes from being mindful of God's mercy. The Psalmist praised God for His goodness and mercy.
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Therefore, a good practice on Thanksgiving, and every day for that matter, is to "give thanks" to God for the mercy He has shown you. Lamentations 3:22-23 declares, "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
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Next, we need to be merciful to others. Some people in your life need a word or touch of mercy. Maybe they have had a tough year or are lost and need Christ. Look to go the extra mile this week with your kindness and compassion. Listen more than you talk, and pray for people privately. See, in a mean world, we best represent our heavenly Father with mercy.
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Mercy must be on your menu, especially this time of the year. When you think and believe this way, God will put you in a position to reflect His mercy to others. Luke 6:36 says, "Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful."