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The Joy of Giving Thanks

One of the first things we learn in our
lives is to say ‘thank you’ when we are given a gift. When a gift is given, and
it is in our grasp, we hear the inevitable question from our parents, “What
do you say?” 
Each gift has a doubled joy, in the
giving and the thank you from the heart when received.
Somehow
the gift we cannot hold in our hands become our most treasured and valued
gifts. A ‘thank you’ is such a gift.
What
is buried in a spoken or written in a ‘thank you’? There is humble
friendship, respect, faith, trust, love, and honor. I owe my Mother many ‘thank
you’s.’  
One day, I observed Mother bending over
and smelling flowers one by one in her colorful garden. Why did she love
flowers so much, or freshly baked wheat bread, or carefully homemade clothes
for her family? Love.  She told me the flowers were gifts from God, His
intricate designs, His chosen colors, and the way they grew from the seeds He
created.   Mother opened my eyes to an awareness of God’s vast
creation, gift after gift from the deep sea to the highest mountain.  From
lights in the sky to the light in our hearts when we reflect God’s love to
others.
        
Someone said Joy is a sign of the presence of God. Not complaints or
frowns that contort faces. Joy is the second of the nine ‘Fruit of the Holy
Spirit’. (Galatians 5:22-23).
        
As we enter the appointed season of Thankfulness, will there be Joy for what is
not purchased? Why is Thankfulness celebrated once a year?
        
We have received a gift defying understanding. Over 2000 years ago, God sent
His Angel to proclaim:  And the angel
said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that
will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city
of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke
2:10-11. 
           
This gift sent from God is our gift for having our sins we commit every day to
be forgiven. Jesus taught two commandments to follow while on earth. Then He
died on the cross to be the sacrifice for our sins. This is the gift that keeps
on giving. There are new mercies each day, our sins are forgiven, we receive
hope for the inheritance to come to be with Him for eternity, God calls us
Children of God.
        
When we come to the end of our lives, we know it is time to live with Him. John
14:1-3, tells us our future. “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe
in God; believe also in me.  In my
Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you I go to
prepare a place for you?  And if I go
and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to
myself, that where I am, you may be also.”
        
Over
and over these lyrics come to my heart and mind, and my thank you come with a
song:  How can I say thanks, for the things You have done for me?
        Things
so undeserved yet You gave to prove Your love for me. The voices of a million
angels, Could not express my gratitude. All that I am, and ever hope to be, I
owe it all to Thee.
(Andrae Crouch)
        
Philippians 4:4-7. Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say,
rejoice.  Let your reasonableness be known to
everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious
about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of
God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your
minds in Christ Jesus. 
        
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will
strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right
hand. Isaiah 41:10
 
       “Go therefore and make disciples
of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching
them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am
with you always, to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:19-20.
        
Who is this Jesus, the Son of God? Why should I thank Him? 
        
 “I am the living bread that came down from
heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that
I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” John 6:51.
        
Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of
life.” John 8:12.
        
I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in
and out and find pasture. John 10:9.
        
 I am the good shepherd. I know my own
and my own know me. John 10:14.
        
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever
believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.  John 11:25.
        
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No
one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6.
        
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me
and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart
from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
        
Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world
gives, do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let
them be afraid. John 14:27.
        
“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it
is in heaven. Give us this day
our daily bread. And forgive us
our debts, as we forgive our debtors. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power
and the glory, forever Amen.” Matthew 6:9-13. KJV

          And give thanks for everything to God the Father in
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 6:20 NLT.

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