Expressing Thanks

“Hold tight to giving thanks... if you let something steal your thanksgiving, you let something steal your joy, and if you let something steal your joy, you let something steal your strength.”

Ann Voscamp

November signals a conscious effort to encourage us to give and express thanks.  Scott and Abby are in the process of teaching their children the importance of expressing their thanks to God as well as others.

On Tuesday evening, we met Abby and the kids at the park.  It was a beautiful clear, cool evening and Mary and Daniel played nonstop.  Afterwards we went out to eat.  When it was time to head home the kids thanked us for taking them to dinner and gave goodbye hugs.  Daniel had already given me a hug, but returned for another one.  On his way, he stopped and gave my walker a big hug and pat, too.  One of the blessings of having a Grandmom with MS is that you grow up playing with, pushing, and storing your treasures in the basket of her walker.  What a great visual of not only being thankful, but also expressing it with actions.

I am in the process of learning that when I express my gratitude with words and/or actions, it seems to take my thankfulness to a new level of appreciation.  I once read, “What if you woke up only with the things you thanked God for yesterday?”  It seems like November doesn’t have nearly enough days for us to express all of our thanks.  Hopefully, the more we practice “Thanks giving” the more it will spill over into “Thanks living” all year round.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

Psalm 100:4

I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 69:30

Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 106:1