Hello friend, this past weekend was one where I saw God at work, experienced His faithfulness and was humbled by His goodness; there is much on my heart, but the power of a thank you is what is rising to the surface. I pray these words, this lesson, will make a difference for you today.
Have you ever received a thank you that impacted you? My answer is a quick yes...15+ years ago I can honestly say words from a woman who's name I didn't even know played a part in me pushing pause on my plan to end my life. In September of '99 I was in the midst of depression and came to the place where I was ready to do the unthinkable, but as I made one last journal entry a thank you card fell out and reminded me I was setting an example. When it seemed nobody cared and my actions didn't matter, these words told me otherwise.
Friend, if that doesn't show you the power of a simple thank you, I don't know what will. Our words matter and others need to know they are appreciated.
I know this is true, but this past weekend as I set out to send a friend another thank you, I wondered if it really mattered. I mean, she's heard me say it before. As I thought about this, a few things entered my mind -
I pictured my little 3 year old saying, "Mommy this food yummy, thank you." Now Jesse doesn't say this every meal, but he has said it more than once and each time the words have brought a smile to my face. Sometimes a thank you reminds us the things we do matter and can motivate us to do the mundane.
As this memory rolled through my mind, it was as if God spoke to my heart, "Maybe the thank you is more for you than it is her." Friends, that may sound crazy, but let me explain. What happens when you express your gratitude? Yes, you can build up and encourage the one you thank, but you are also humbling yourself and recognizing your blessings. As I thanked my friend, I was reminded I've done nothing on my own. She, and many others, have played a part in me getting to where I am at. And I'm grateful.
Finally, and most importantly, I was reminded before I thank a person, I must thank my God. He is the giver of all good things and worthy of all my praise. Early on my walk of faith, God convicted me of at times worshiping the gift more than the giver, praising the person instead of Him. And since then has led me to always thank Him before I say, "thank you".
Friend, my prayer today is God would give you a thankful heart. 1 Thessalonians 5:18, tells us, "Give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Our pastor likes to say thanksgiving is like a rope connected to the heart of God, the more we thank God the closer we get to Him. I encourage you to thank Him today.
I also pray He'd put someone on your heart to thank...chances are they will be blessed to hear your words and you will be impacted for saying them. I'd love to hear how God works through this little assignment, so feel free to share in the comments below.
I'll go first - Thank you, my blog reading friend! I'm grateful you've joined me here and I'm thankful for the time you take to read my words and share your's. God created us for community and I thank Him for the connection we have here. May your day be blessed!
"Giving thanks always and for everything
to God the Father
in the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ..."
Ephesians 5:20
4 comments:
Hi Jill! I'm thanking God for you in my heart. Praising Him for the good work He is doing through you! I love this post. I love reading about "joy" & "thanksgiving"~ great lessons. The Lord has been teaching me similar thing, as I often thank people before thanking Him. He reminds me and my husband reminds me to thank God first. It doesn't always come natural. He is so worthy of all of our praise and thanksgiving. So I'm going to try to do that. Also, my co-worker came to mind. She recently started going to church and reading the Bible. Praise Jesus! I am going to tell her how thankful I am for her. :)
Your words are always so encouraging!! I just had a friend tell me today that she was thinking of me today which is just one of the ways God works so well. He knew I needed that today. I thanked her and we had a nice conversation. A "thank you" and "thinking of you" are always so welcomed and usually time appropriate all be cause of our Lord. So today I am thinking him for all he does and you for such encouraging words!!! God Bless you Jill!!
Great to hear from you Amber! Yes God is the worthy one and always deserves our praise and thanks!! Sometimes thanking Him is enough. Thanking God for your co-workers growth in faith...trust you are a blessing to her! Also thanking Him for you and your friendship!
So good to hear from you Crystal!! I agree simple words can be so powerful and love how God provides them when He knows we need them!! He is so good! I'm thankful He has crossed our paths and pray we can connect again sometime soon!!
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