Same thing? Sounds the same? They aren’t. Thankful is a deeper more pervasive feeling. Thanks is almost a ‘throw away’ word since it’s used so often, rarely does anyone wait for a response, and it has almost become meaningless…. unless accompanied by more words than just the simple acknowledgement – ‘thanks’. Getting picky… no, I don’t think so. We all need to be more intentional in and with our words – that they carry the message we intend.
We’re just days passed from one the biggest Holidays of the year. A Holiday that is aimed at families almost as much as Christmas is (but with less stress). Thanksgiving! Some families actually take the time in the day for everyone to sit (sans electronic devices) and share 1 reason why they were thankful. Personally, I think this is a great family tradition. In the midst of sharing the reason we remind ourselves of something important in our lives, something that touched us. Years ago there was a great song that used to be played this time of year, every time you turned around – “I’ve got plenty to be thankful for” (Bing Crosby – good movie too). Not a bad reminder.
How about thanking the One who gave everything so that you might have an abundant and joy filled life? Is Jesus invited into the feast and festivities of Thanksgiving? Is He honored? How do you not only acknowledge but praise the One who gave and is still giving us everything? What does our manual for living (The Bible) say?
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
This is just 1 out of over 50 different scriptures that talk about be thankful. If you take a moment you see that it says: in ALL circumstances. That pretty much covers… everything. Also note that it doesn’t say FOR all circumstances. I think that would be foolishness, but we can focus on the reality that He is WITH us in all circumstances. Read Who Jesus is for us NOW in Hebrews – our High Priest (Hebrews 4: 14-16). Especially read these verses in the Amplified and Message versions.
“Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to Him and get what He is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.”
Don’t know about you, but this is ‘shoutin’ time’! If you weren’t thankful before, this should greatly increase your ‘Halleluiah’ reality.
Perhaps I might be asking the wrong question? Maybe I should ask us all to stop and consider how you feel when someone acknowledges what you’ve done or said. Does a gentle, soft smile appear and a kinda warm feeling occur in the innermost part of you? And how do you respond to that person who thanked you for what you did? Then realize how a genuine thank you is experienced by those whom you thank. Never can tell… we might start an epidemic of joyful people.
