Fun traditions and good memories are often linked with Thanksgiving . . . the whole family crowded into Grandma’s house, a typically overcooked turkey, but yummy mashed potatoes and gravy, endless football games, and of course pumpkin pie with whipped cream. Some families go around the table encouraging each person to identify one thing they are especially thankful for this particular year before bowing heads to say, Thank you God! I enjoy hearing how God has blessed someone dear to me, why not do this every day? According to the Psalms, thanksgiving is the password into God’s presence. I offer you 26 reasons I am prompted to say, Thank you God.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name (Psalm 100:4).
ACCESS TO ABBA—the audaciousness of my prayer life sometimes reminds me of little John-John under JFK’s desk in the Oval Office. My Father also has an important job, but I am his kiddo and welcome. Thank you God! A BABY’S BELLY LAUGH—is so infectious, I must laugh with them. Thank you God for laughter. COMPLETION OF A PROJECT—Solomon nailed it. The end of something is better than its beginning . . . Ecclesiastes 7:8 Hallelujah for every finished project! DEPENDABLE FOLKS—who do what they say they will do. How can we not shout thank you God when He puts such a friend on our team? ENERGY—What a joy it is to be energized and excited to do something. FELLOWSHIP—this warm connection is often shared with friends, but what an amazing gift when experienced with strangers who also know Jesus. Thank you God. GOODNESS AND MERCY— DO follow hard after me every day (Psalm 23:6). Since I started looking for my thank you’s, I am much more aware of how the Shepherd cares for me.
HANDWRITTEN NOTES—personal mail! Thank you God, for every note and every friend. INTIMACY with God—I rejoice greatly every time God speaks to me in words, pictures, or brings Scripture to mind. JESUS REVEALED—from Genesis to Revelation—makes hopeful and meaningful sense of this life. Thank you God, for my Bible. KINDNESSES—especially unexpected ones. “The car in front of you already paid for your order.” Woohoo! LEARNING—that ushers in new perspective or an aha moment. I look forward to an eternity of discovering the wonders of creation, your people, and Yourself. Thank you God.
MEMORIES SHARED WITH FRIENDS—who know from whence we come and love us anyway! When and where our connection was made doesn’t matter. Having a common reference point seems anchoring. Comparing life stories and new perspectives with folks who’ve shared part of ours is so validating and encouraging. Thank you, Lord. NO—The power and privilege of saying no saves me much pain and conflict. I can say no to dessert, no to gossip, no to damaging attitudes and relationships, or no to the blame game. Thank you, Father, for the gift of choice. OPPORTUNITIES TO BLESS—with something as simple as a smile, a nod, or stopping for a pedestrian. Help me see these opportunities, please. PRAYER PARTNERS—those faithful friends who say they will pray and then do so. Thank you, God, for those who will pray with and for us. QUESTIONS ANSWERED—it is so satisfying to obtain needed information and solve a problem. Thank you for leading me, Lord. RECOGNIZING—someone I know and love in a crowd unexpectedly.
STORY—how I love to hear or read a good, compelling story with interesting characters. I am rich with many books and a library at my disposal. I am even more thankful for friends who trust me enough to share their back stories. They tell me of adventure, love, tremendous challenges overcome or endured, sorrows, new discoveries, while grief, wisdom, and humor pour forth in the telling. My cup runneth over on this one. TRUTH COMING FORTH—is a good if painful thing after puzzling over a blind spot in my life. Conviction usually hurts, but 1 John 1:9 declares confession to be the way to forgiveness and righteousness. Thank you, Jesus, for making a way for me to you. UNDERSTANDING— is a glorious gift whether given or received. When counseling, it was a very special moment when a client felt heard and understood. Whatever their burden, that was moment it began to lift. I see this in conversations between friends. To be heard and understood is such a blessing. Open my ears and heart, Lord, every day.
VISTAS AND VIEWS—of God’s creation where the scope prompts awe. The Grand Canyon or the full moon on a clear night humble me. Thank you God for beauty. WATER tumbling over rocks makes a delightfully soothing sound that refreshes my soul. I thank you Lord, for placing us so close to the Lewis River that I hear this sound at least weekly. XO’s—at the end of a letter or note meaning hugs and kisses! Thank you for affection warmly extended. YOU—OUR HERITAGE OF HOPE SUPPORTERS. Thank you for your encouraging notes, for sharing your stories with us, for spreading the word about of Heritage of Hope, and for your generous donations. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ all night long—Thank you God, for rest and a multitude of reasons to give thanks. You do indeed pour out your blessings like rain. Please enable us to recognize them and enter your gates with thanksgiving every day!
