This was today’s morning devotional with XM Academy Students.
The Power of Thankfulness
Theme: Always Be Thankful
Key Scripture: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Kinunu’s Thankfulness
There once was a hardworking man named Kinunu. He had a lovely wife, two sons, and one daughter.
One day, a severe drought hit his country. Kinunu lost almost everything. Then, tragedy struck again: his lovely wife died. He felt like his world was ending.
Poor Kinunu was left alone to care for his three children and cultivate the land during the dry season. He worked tirelessly, often from sunup to sundown, and sometimes even at night. Preparing the soil and weeding the crops was a grueling task.
Despite this terrible situation, Kinunu never lost his faith in God. He would sing songs of thanks as he worked each day. He thanked God for giving him the strength to cultivate the land. Kinunu found reasons to be thankful even in his darkest time.
One day, as he was working in the garden, he felt something on his face. The rain began as a small drizzle but eventually poured down over all the land! Crops began to grow, and joyous faces were seen everywhere. Among those happy faces was Kinunu. He knew that his faithfulness to God was being rewarded.
Discussion Questions
- In what ways did Kinunu show his thanks to God, even when times were hard?
- How could his children have shown their thanks to their father for always providing them with food?
- What happened to Kinunu that made it difficult to thank God?
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to be thankful in all circumstances. Do you think it is sometimes difficult to do that? Why or why not?
~ Aloys Nsanzimana
(Edited and posted from ATN & Friends WhatsApp update November 3, 2025)
