Giving thanks, or saying thank you, is something we as a society don’t seem to be doing as
much as we used to. I will be the first to admit I have always had trouble writing thank you
notes. I usually do pretty good about thanking someone in person. Letting someone know I
appreciate something they said or did when it happens is something I can do. But it’s easy to
become complacent and forget to say thank you. How many people do those little nice things for
us each day? People hold the door, or your server brings you a refill. Do we really appreciate
those things and let them know? Do you say thank you to your spouse, your children, your
friends, your co-workers? Sometimes familiarity with a person or a repeated task or action will
make us complacent and we stop saying thank you.
We sing a song “Thank You, Lord” page 474 in our song book and the verse they reference
is Ephesians 5:20 “Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to
God, even the Father”. The song’s lyrics may be simple, but it is an excellent reminder of our
need to be thankful to God for His love, His blessings, and His salvation. The Bible is filled with
examples of people thanking God for the things He does for us. We should never become
complacent in thanking God for all He does.
“Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by
which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a
consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28-29).
“I will praise the name of God with song and shall magnify Him with thanksgiving” (Psalm
69:30).
“For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with
gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer” (1 Timothy 4:4-5).
“In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess. 5:18).

~B Tolbert