When we express our gratitude to God, it's easy to emphasize material prosperity and the qualities of life that are wonderful to have but easy to lose. Good health is a great blessing, but it could be gone tomorrow. Into the most loving families and friendships, death intrudes when we least expect it. Our tables may be loaded with food today, but we could be out of work tomorrow and wondering about our next meal.

How about taking a new approach to giving thanks today? Instead of focusing on the traditional areas of food, family, and friends, let's thank God for what we cannot lose.

Romans 8:35-39 is a great place to begin. After considering the difficulties and calamities that can strip away the externals from our lives, Paul concluded that none of them "shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (v.39). God's love is unfailing, unceasing, unchanging, and unconquerable.

Heavenly Father, if we have to be away from home and family today, if we are frail in body or spirit, if there is an empty place in our heart, if we have nothing to eat, we still give thanks for Your love in Christ, because no person or problem can take Your love away.  — David C. McCasland