Still meditating on the concept of thankfulness. Even on the hardest of days, there is so much to be thankful for. I remembered this message on this subject from a year ago. I thought it was worthy of a repeat today. Praying for those still impacted by the hurricane flooding as they struggle through such devastation. Praying God’s comfort and deliverance over them today.
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1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
I just wonder how many emails I have sent in my lifetime. I know there was a day without email or voicemail, but I struggle to remember it! When I think about all those emails, particularly the work ones, I recall my closing phrase, a simple “Thanks!”. It was just one word, and of course, it had an exclamation point on the end. For those of you who communicate with me by text, you know how I love exclamation points. I like the enthusiasm of that particular point of punctuation. I even have Siri trained to add my exclamation points as I verbally dictate my text messages! Ha!
Thanks…it’s one simple word, a word we use often. Think about it. If someone pays you a compliment, your immediate, ingrained response is “Thanks!”. If someone does something nice for you, you respond with a “Thanks!”. You end phone calls with this word. You even utter it to the clerk at the fast food restaurant, right after the clerk, if she is well trained, says it to you. It’s a common word in business practices. It’s simply part of good customer service.
Yet, I wonder whether our frequent use of the word waters down its meaning. Is it simply a polite habit or are we really thankful? Are we thinking about what we are saying or simply going through the motions? Is our thankfulness real?
Are we grateful for all we have? Do we offer thanks to God every day for the magnificent blessings He has graciously bestowed upon us? Do we relish each new day as a gift for which we should give thanks? Do we praise God for all that He is doing in our lives? Do we give continual thanks for the sacrifice of Jesus, for it is by His sacrifice that we have been redeemed?
A thankful heart honors God. It draws us to Him. Joy springs forth from a soul that sees God’s blessings and responds with thanksgiving. Thankfulness can save us from a life of bitterness, a life weighed down by worry, a life wasted on worldly enticements, a life bogged down by selfish pursuits. Thankfulness allows us to remember God’s faithfulness, to rest in the assurance of God’s grace.
Let’s keep on saying “Thanks!”. Let’s say it to our spouses, to our children, to our co-workers, to strangers we meet along the way. Above all, let’s say it again and again to our Lord and Savior. May we greet each new day with a heart that overflows with thanksgiving, not just on the good and easy days, but on the tough ones too. May we live as grateful people, honoring God and giving Him all the glory. “Thanks!”
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Ephesians 5:19-20 …Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
PRAYER
O Precious Lord, thanks! Let us say it again, thanks! We rejoice with thanksgiving for all Your marvelous blessings upon us. Oh how You love us! Oh how You have cared for us! Oh what a beautiful day You have given us! O Lord, we give You thanks for everything, today, and every day to come.
Faith Beyond Sight 