Thanksgiving And Trust

A reflection on Thanksgiving and Matthew 6:25-33

by Father Lee Davis on November 25, 2024

Thanksgiving and Trust

Jesus said, "I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you-- you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, `What will we eat?' or `What will we drink?' or `What will we wear?' For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (NRSV Matthew 6:25-33)

At its heart, Thanksgiving is about trust. It’s a moment to pause, look beyond our worries, and recognize how God has sustained us through seasons of both abundance and challenge.

When Jesus asks us to look at the birds and the lilies, He’s not suggesting a life of passive dependence, but one of active trust. The birds still gather food, and the lilies still grow in the soil. Yet, they do so without anxiety, fully present to their purpose and secure in the provision of their Creator.

How often do we, especially in this fast-paced, often uncertain world, struggle to trust that God sees and knows our needs? Thanksgiving invites us to step back from that anxiety and recall the countless ways God has shown up in our lives—through family, community, and even in unexpected blessings.

Jesus’ call to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (v. 33) redirects our focus. Thanksgiving isn’t just about gratitude for material things, but also about centering our lives on God’s kingdom—a kingdom defined by love, justice, and grace. When we align ourselves with God’s purposes, we begin to see the deeper blessings in our lives: relationships restored, opportunities to serve, and the joy of sharing what we have with others.

At St. Mary Magdalene & St. Martin, we are blessed to witness God’s provision through the ministries we share with our community. Whether it’s through supporting families in need, working with other organizations, or simply being present with one another in worship, these are glimpses of God’s kingdom breaking into the here and now.

This Thanksgiving, let’s take Jesus’ words to heart. What would it look like to release some of our worries into God’s hands? Could we trust, even just a little more, in the promise that our heavenly Father knows our needs?

Let’s also ask ourselves how we might embody the generosity of God’s kingdom. Who might need to see God’s provision through us? Perhaps it’s the neighbor who could use an invitation to dinner or the community partner who needs an extra set of hands this season.

As we gather around our tables, may our hearts overflow with gratitude—not just for what we have, but for the God who lovingly provides, and for the call to be participants in sharing that love with the world.

About the Author
Father Lee Davis

After a diverse career in marketing and finance and a sudden realization of the love and power of God that he discovered aboard a Navy ship, Father Lee Davis has the distinction of being baptized, confirmed, and received for Holy Orders on the same Sunday. He studied at Bexley Hall Seminary in Columbus, Ohio where he received a Master's of Divinity degree in 2009 and then served as priest-in-charge of St. Andrew's in Hollywood, Florida as well as an assisting priest at St. Benedict's in Plantation. Father Lee also worked as a Hospice Chaplain. When he left after a little more than two years, St. Andrew's had grown in membership and under his guidance extended its outreach into the community. He was also a pivotal leader of the Jubilee Center of Hollywood, a vital outreach ministry to the homeless and hungry, and served on the Board of Directors for St. Lawrence Chapel, serving the homeless in Pompano Beach. He also served on several diocesan committees working with the youth of the diocese.


In December 2012, Father Lee was called as rector of St. Anne's Episcopal Church in Damascus, Maryland. During his 8 year tenure there the vestry of the parish noted that "His dynamic leadership, inspired preaching, creative ideas and compassionate pastoral care combined to bring a new level of excitement, commitment, and growth among the congregation." Through his leadership, he developed partnerships with other organizations in the community, helped establish a transitional home for victim's of domestic violence, began the process of developing affordable senior housing on some of the acreages of land owned by the church, and grew stewardship achieving their first balanced budget in over a decade. At the beginning of the COVID pandemic, he led the congregation into the development of an online presence and with a couple of dedicated lay members started a feeding program for families in need which continues today. He served in the Diocese of Washington DC helping in the implementation of a Diaconate Formation program as well as being on the Board of Directors of the Washington Episcopal Clergy Association and serving on the Diocesan Executive Council.


Amidst the COVID pandemic, Father Lee accepted the call to be our rector and began his tenure in September 2019. His leadership has already blessed our community.

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