thankfulness: how quick do we forget?
A couple months ago, the kids and I were driving and came upon some election signs. A commonplace, as the local elections had just occurred. They seemed to almost blend in with their surroundings.
Then, one caught my eye. So much in fact that we pulled the car over. I asked my oldest daughter, Emma Grace, to take a picture of it. After her look of “Mom, are you serious?” she walked over to take this for me. (We all cheered her on as she grew in her embarrassment…isn’t that the job of a Momma, a sister, and two brothers?)
Not Just a Sign
As she was walking to the sign, the Lord was pouring out convicting truths to my heart. Why does this sign seem to be an anomaly? Why is gratitude such a rarity in our culture? The simple words of “thank you”. How often do we hear them? How often do I speak them to another?
My mind went to Jesus and His many healings. How often did those healed return to Him and offer their gratitude for what He had done?
Rarely.
I thought about the story of the 10 lepers.
“On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:11-19 ESV)
Where Am I?
What about me?
Where would I rank?
I think of this in regards to my personal prayer life. What happens when I witness the Lord answer a deep cry of my heart? Am I just like the nine lepers? Do I take my answer and just run with it? Forgetting the source of this miraculous working?
Are there any times I might mirror the one, returning in gratitude? Do I allow His working and answer to propel me to come offering thanksgiving?
Thankfulness Experienced
I think about the time and effort we put into training our children to have thankful hearts. How much joy fills our heart when they return to us or someone else and express their gratitude from a gift or some other act of kindness. Our elation is even greater when the thankfulness is unprovoked. How much more is this true of our Heavenly Father? He does not need to hear our thanks, but He enjoys it!
Repetitive Theme Throughout Scripture
King David, a “man after God’s own heart”, charged the Levite priests to invoke, thank and praise the Lord after the ark of the covenant was placed into its tent in Jerusalem. (I Chronicles 16:1-4)
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” (I Chronicles 16:34)
It is important!
I do not need to hear the thanks of others, but they are treasured greatly when those words are received.
Psalms 100:4 says “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!”
Thanksgiving and praise put us right into His presence according to this passage.
Do I move so fast in praying that I miss the whole point?
I miss Jesus.
I miss the deepening of the love relationship He offers to me.
I forsake pondering the deeply personal act of kindness the King of the Universe just showed me.
What is it about thankfulness that can change our perspective? Paul was on to something about its importance.
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” (Colossians 4:2)
Thankfulness should permeate every part of our being!
The Challenge, Should You Accept
Our thankfulness can have such a profound effect on the world around us. Go ahead and try it! Next time you are checking out at the grocery store, running errands around town or even going out to eat, offer your thanks.
Try to take it a step further and offer specific thanks for something they did!
A friend shared this quote with me from Mark Twain. “I can live for two months on a good compliment.”
How about you? I know words of thankfulness can carry me for weeks on end, especially coming from my husband or kids. Let’s be that light and salt! (Matthew 5:13-16) I think we can completely underestimate how powerful these words can be, especially to the unbelieving world.
Let’s close with this challenge found in Colossians 4:5-6 “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Blessings as we bring before Him the desire for our “seasoned words” to be rooted in thankfulness!
