The Bible instructs us to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I love that at least once a year, we are reminded of the importance of giving thanks. And not generically, but giving thanks to God.

We did just that when we gathered as a family last Thursday evening. Dad shared a devotional, pointing our eyes to the Giver of all good gifts.

After all the food preparation was complete,

in large part thanks to these three sisters,

everyone sat down and enjoyed a delicious feast. Thanks to modern technology, we were even able to say hello and speak virtually face-to-face to the fourth sister and her family in North Carolina.

Surely, a highlight of the evening was when my Grandpa Barker walked in the front door with his flight jacket, from his time in the Army Air Corps during WWII.

He has not shared much about his time in the war, which made this gesture even more meaningful. He had a rapt audience.

He talked through his “yearbook”.

These two have always had a unique bond, sharing an uncanny love for engineering; and after this evening, I think the bond grew even tighter.

But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise. (Psalm 79:13)