“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”
‒ 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
As a good Southern girl, I was raised to send a handwritten thank you note on a monogrammed card within days (sometimes hours) of receiving any act of kindness—a gift, dinner, a visit. While a note in the mailbox is still my preference, a phone call, email, text, even tweet/Facebook acknowledgment from people I love makes my heart smile. I hope they feel the same way when they hear from me. When I pray, do I always thank God? I wish I could say, “One hundred percent!” But, that, of course wouldn’t be true. It’s easy for me to launch in to, “Hey, God, I want xyz!” or “Hey, God, can you heal my friend and do it soon?” And, He listens. Or I’ll start with, “Hey, God, I just messed up big time. Sorry!” And, He forgives me. But if my heart smiles when someone reaches out to say thanks, why don’t I make God’s heart smile with every single prayer?
So give thanking God a try today. While you’re at it, send a thank you note to somebody in your network. You’ll get a double blessing, I promise.
- Cheryl Collins