The scripture reminds us in Matthew 5:45 that our heavenly Father is good to all of creation when it says, "He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."
This doesn't mean that everyone automatically goes to heaven but that the Lord wants to remind us that he does love his creation and does want a relationship with us. That relationship is possible when we accept the forgiveness offered through Jesus Christ, God's Son.
How is God good to us here in America, and what should we be thankful for? It goes far beyond just sunshine and rain, which are important. The list could go on and on, but I just want to mention a few of them.
How about the air we breathe? Some have to carry around a tank of air because of lung issues. If you do not have to do so, you ought to be thankful. And even if you do need a tank, be thankful for that air.
In America, look at all of the clean water we have access to. It is estimated that as many as 17 percent of the world's population has no access to clean water – that's nearly 1.3 billion people.
What about the food we have to eat? America throws away enough food each year that could meet all of the needs of hungry people around the world. Almost 1 billion people around the world are undernourished.
What about the shelter we enjoy? Most of us have more space than we need or care to clean. One major city in its impoverished area has families living in an average of less than 50 square feet of space. Many around the world live in tents or under a canopy made of sticks or banana leaves.
What about our health? Most of us are pretty healthy due to medical services made available to us and better nutrition. Many around the world have no such services while here we have organizations that offer free medicine to those in need, and at worst case we have emergency rooms that cannot turn away those in need.
We could mention a lot more things but I think you get the picture. We have so much to be thankful for, and this time of year reminds us that we should give thanks for all we have and from whom it comes.