Jim Stevens writes…
Summer is with us – together with, hopefully, some long lovely summer evenings. One of the joys at my vicarage is that our patio is in just the right place to catch all the evening sun.
There are so many good things we have to enjoy: many of which we easily take for granted. Perhaps as you relax (one sunny evening!) you might like to make a list of the good things which make so much of your daily life rich and full. (Yes, I know there are pains and difficulties – sometimes even these have their positives in terms of building character, patience in us, and even in others …)
Where would our list of good things start? For each of us, it would be different. Mine would start with Judy, my wife, my family, friends, good health, a roof over my head and a bed to sleep in, clean water on tap, that I’m well fed:  good sanitation, the dustman, the electricity and gas supplies -  wonderful countryside to enjoy, eyes to see it, the ability to walk  – gifts and abilities I have which can be helpful to others -  as I think on the list just grows.
“Oh give thanks” – to whom?
Centuries ago the psalmist wrote:
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.”
The apostle James wrote:
“Every good and perfect gift comes from above, from the Father …”
All you and I have is, ultimately, a GIFT. Yes, we work, we put in effort, but the root of all we enjoy is gift: gift, from our exuberant, extra-ordinarily generous Creator. He tops my list, is at the bottom of it, and round the sides!
Do we give Him thanks? Thanks enriches the gifts we enjoy.
On July 16, the Morris men are here in Chipperfield. They celebrate and give thanks in song and dance. Why not make that Sunday morning (10.30 outside St. Paul’s) a special occasion to come and give thanks to God, for your list of good things? It will be health to your soul, indeed, to your whole well being.
With my greetings,      Jim Stevens
PS: One further thought: Why not ask yourself – What might I, in a spirit of real generosity (mirroring the Father in heaven), give in some direction, which would  cause someone in need to give real deep thanks and praise to God for me, and my generosity?