Thank you – He listens with an intentive ear for our thank yous.

How many times do we forget to say thank you to not only the ones we love, but even to a stranger?  I know I try to be very aware of saying my thank-yous.  While out to dinner I once asked our waitress, who was taking care of us, “How often do customers say thank you?”  I was really surprised to hear her reply, “Not very often.”  There is something in my nature, when someone is waiting on me or has done something for me, that I feel the need to let them know I’m appreciative.  Is it automatic for you?  Can you think of the last time you said “thank you” to someone – especially your child, your friend, your spouse, or someone that just did a small act of kindness during your day?  But it goes much further than that for me, and something I need to do more often.  My thoughts go to serving my Lord and the thousands (who’s counting?) of blessings He has served to me.  Do I give my “automatic” and appreciative thank-you to Him?  Embarrassingly, my answer would be not often enough. The next question to myself then is “Why?”  Can it be compared to opening our gifts on Christmas day and quickly wondering where the next package is to open without thanking the giver?  Do we think God just automatically knows we are thankful?  He surely gets so many thank-yous that us forgetting to utter those two little words wouldn’t be missed, right?  But then I think about my question to our waitress, “How often do people thank you?”  “Not very often”, she replied.    Jesus never tires of hearing us say “thank you”, from the beauty of a brilliant red cardinal that reminds me always of my mom, for special friends He puts in my path that care about me, or just a simple thank you for getting me through all the rough patches.  Let’s pause for minute, right now, and think of three things you can thank Jesus for today.  Then, stay focused on how you can be a better giver of “thank-yous” every single day.  It may be family, it may be a stranger, but I can guarantee you it will make Jesus smile!

“That my soul may sing praise to you and not be silent O Lord my God, I will give thanks to your forever.”    Psalm 30:12