Psalm 136:26 “Give thanks to the God of Heaven, for His steadfast love endures forever.”

Years spent in the middle school classroom certainly sharpened my patience. Never did I count the number of questions pre-teens would ask in a day’s time, but I fear I could not tally that high. From the absurd, to the impossible, to the comical, their questions were relentless.

One day, a precious overachiever-of-inquiry held his hand in the air more than he held his pencil in his hand. So out of desperation, I walked over to him and quietly whispered, “I think you have just about reached your quota of questions for today. You have only two left. Make them count.” And with that, his hand went down.

Feeling a bit guilty over my waning patience, I phoned his mother for a full disclosure of the quota I had instituted upon her son that day. To my surprise, she laughed. Evidently a previous teacher, upon viewing this child’s school picture, had informed him he should have raised his hand in his photo so he would have a true likeness of himself. Honestly, I felt exonerated.

Oh, how blessed we are by a Heavenly Father who enforces no quotas! He offers patience and redemption in unlimited quantities. His demonstration of love and sacrifice for us defies understanding. His Spirit continually covers us with comfort and guidance. His deep well of grace never runs dry. Through all our failures, despite all our doubts, and amid our plethora of questions, God remains.

We will confront many quotas in life, but not when it comes to God. So as we count our blessings this Thanksgiving season, let us raise our hands in praise to the One whose love for us knows no bounds.

Father God, may we live in gratitude for the unlimited grace Your love provides.

Blessings,

Rita Cochrane