What Thwarts Thanks?

  A children’s chorus of thank yous echo on Halloween-decorated porches as treats are plunked into plastic pumpkins.  At the local gas station, a customer holds the door open as the coffee-carrying woman shares a smiled, “thanks!”

  Almost daily, quick, appreciative exchanges are overheard.

  But what about heart-felt thanks for the big things: beyond-expectation favors, long-time investments of selfless work, costly gifts of compassion, or loyal, self-sacrificing relationships? Have you been on the giving or receiving end of appreciation for any of these scenarios?

  Do life-blessings go unnoticed?  Training all your senses to be aware of what is happening to and around you is part of the live in the moment philosophy.  It recommends the practice of attentiveness, not letting the tyranny of busyness block blessings you are experiencing right now.

 Americans have a holiday that originally promoted thankfulness to God. How often does the house-readying, meal prep/serving and obligatory sports entertainment overshadow a Thanks-giving celebration? 

  What is it about our technology-infiltrated, time-demanding culture that diminishes gratitude?  If the solution involves priorities that reflect kindness, how might this be accomplished? With my stubborn selfishness, opinion change requires divine intervention. Perhaps others are in a similar, leaky boat. 

 If you had a parent that forced (i.e. encouraged) you to write thank you notes after various gift occasions, you were blessed.  I had a loving grandma who wrote “thank you for the thank you” responsive letters.  These days, a handwritten note is highly valued due to its rarity. Using cursive instead of a curser, makes a memorable impression. 

  My attitude towards gratitude methods (e.g. a texted “ty”, a scribbled smiley face, or a formal, detailed letter) depends on the sender’s circumstances. Is the writer an introvert, living in a remote place, very young or very old, unhealthy, or just plain shy about communicating thanks?  Lord, teach me to value every demonstration of gratefulness.

Thank God for Thanks

  Scripture exhorts us to be thankful because (a) God and his blessings are worthy of eternal praise and thanks, and (b) it benefits us to be grateful.   Philippians 4:6-7 gives readers the anecdote to worry: pray and give thanks.  Keeping a continual list of blessings (Joy Journal) will remind us of our loving Creator’s provisions in the past, present and future.  The Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians continues this theme: “Be joyful always: pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances” adding the reason, “for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  (I Thessalonians 5: 16-18) 

   You can find gratitude-inducing Scripture verses at www.Biblegateway.com, by clicking “thanks” as your search topic.  Keep giving thanks, it leads to joy.