Giving Thanks for Broccoli

"Mommy says we need to be thankful even for the things we don't like."  He proudly proclaims to everyone at the dinner table.

His words...my words...sting a bit.

"I said that?"

"Yes!"  That sweet boy of mine states before taking another bite of broccoli.

I get it.  He is giving thanks for the thing he doesn't like...the broccoli.  The little tree shaped veggie that is not always the yummiest, but is so good for him.

The conversation has moved on to the latest playground shenanigans, but those words stick with me..."Be thankful for even the things you don't like."

Truth is, that's hard.  Sometimes "broccoli" is hard to swallow.  Sometimes the things we face in life are just not fun.  Sometimes, what is good for us isn't the easiest to stomach.

Still, there must be thanksgiving.  It's in our thankfulness that we learn to appreciate the Giver.  As we thank Him, we learn more about Him.  We see His heart...His love.  His desire is to nourish us, strengthen us, grow us.  That means we don't always get dessert first, sometimes we must eat broccoli.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 - In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

And, because he is cuter than brocolli...