Expressing Thanks

Dolly said, "Each year I send each of my grandchildren a card with a generous check inside. I never hear from them... never receive a thank you message."

Ruby replied, "I too send my grandchildren a very generous check. I hear from them within a week after they receive it. In fact, they each pay me a personal visit."

"Wow! How come?” remarked Dolly.

"Very simple solution... I don't sign the check!" chuckled Ruby.

Funny, but relatable. Dolly and Ruby aren’t alone in their dismay over the lack of appreciation shown by many recipients of another’s generosity. Thank you notes, calls, emails, texts and other expressions of gratitude seem to be a thing of the past. Wedding and anniversary presents, Christmas and birthday gifts, get well and college care packages are received but seldom acknowledged these days. We may think to ourselves, “What is this generation coming to?”

But aren’t we just as guilty when it comes to voicing our thanks and appreciation to God for all His marvelous works and mercy? Day after day He cares for us in big and small ways. Hour after hour he not only sustains us but showers us with goodness and blessings.

How often do we take the time to recognize these gifts? Fewer still are the moments we spend expressing our gratitude for His infinite love and mercy freely offered to us. Yet the Bible says over 220 times to “Give thanks . . .” A few familiar ones include the following:

Ephesians 5:20—Always give thanks for everything to God the Father.

1 Chronicles 16:34—Give thanks to the Lord, because He is good; His love is eternal.

Psalm 105:1—Give thanks to the Lord, proclaim his greatness.

1 Thessalonians 5:18—Be thankful in all circumstances.

Colossians 3:17—Give thanks through the Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.

Isaiah 12:4—Give thanks to the Lord! Tell the nations what He has done—how great He is!

Philippians 4:6--In all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking Him with a thankful heart.

2 Corinthians 9:15—Let us thank God

Hebrews 12:28—Let us be grateful and worship God in a way that will please Him, with reverence and awe.

Our acknowledgement of God’s handiwork in our lives needs to be expressed, whether in private prayer, during time of praise at church, or during a conversation with a friend. Let’s renew our commitment to good manners, and more importantly to obedience to God’s Word by expressing thanks for God’s unmerited and unlimited love and blessings that He showers on us every day!

Be encouraged!

©2022 Pamela D. Williams

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