Thankful Thursday: Where Everything Comes From

   Recently a man set out to make a sandwich from scratch.  He grew the grain, cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, raised the chicken... even evaporated sea water for salt to pickle the cucumbers!  It took him 6 months and $1500 to go from field to fork!
   We take for granted all the conveniences we have today.  Sometimes it's hard to remember that ever since the fall into sin, man has had to toil for his food and shelter, whether he is making it himself or paying someone else for it.  Yet God in his grace has blessed us so richly.  Not only do we get to worship him freely in this country, but as if that was not enough, he even makes it easy for us to make a simple sandwich!
   A fun game we play around the table is "Where does this come from?"  Our littlest is starting to figure it out. For example: "Did Jesus make these cabinets?  Did Jesus make my samich? My blankie? My chair?"  Okay, so there's a little work to do there.  Still, it is true that we can trace everything back to the created world God made for us.  And let's not forget the the talents and abilities he gave us so we can use all those created elements for our every day lives.  
   Paul said it this way: "For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory.  All glory to him forever!" (Romans 11:36) So, the next time you bite into your simple chicken sandwich, thank the Lord!  Thank the Lord for providing everything that goes into all we consume and enjoy on a daily basis.