St Mark’s Gratitude Garden #celebrating harvest

Harvest is a time to stop and remember that everything we have is a gift from God. In the four weeks leading up to our harvest services, take a few moments to think about why and how we celebrate harvest.

Week 4: Gratitude

Read: Deuteronomy 26

Moses instructs the Israelites to give the first fruits of their harvest every year as a gift to God. This annual offering will remind them to say thank you to God for rescuing them from slavery and for keeping His promise to provide for their needs. When we have everything we need, it is easy to become complacent. When there is food on the table, clean water to drink and a safe place to sleep, it is easy to forget to say thank you. Celebrating harvest is an opportunity to stop and appreciate the many gifts that God gives us that we often take for granted. Celebrating harvest is an opportunity to say thank you to God for these gifts and to show our gratitude by giving away some of what God had given to us.

Reflect: Why is it important to develop an ‘attitude of gratitude’? How can you practice being grateful not just at harvesttime, but all year round?

Pray: God of the harvest, all that we have is a gift from you. This harvesttime, help us to be grateful for all that we have and to offer you our thanks and praise. Amen.