Skip to main content

Giving Thanks

             Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. (I Chronicles 29:13-16)

 

            David wasn’t allowed to build the temple, but he collected for it, and when the collection was over, he was – at least according to what he prayed – amazed. I’ll grant you, David seems to have been the sort who was easily amazed, but I suspect we’d be amazed, too. I’ve heard stories about the church I attend up north and people mortgaging their homes to provide the funds to build the new sanctuary (many years ago.) I’m not suggesting this is good financial management or that you should do the same – I’m just saying that when people want to, they can be generous to a fault.

            There’s one area in which I think we’re particularly jaded about giving: thanks and praise. We may say, “Thanks” as someone holds the door open, but how much gratitude do we feel? Ten seconds after we say it, will we remember our sense of gratitude? Or is that expression of thanks just a habit? If it is just a habit, are we lying when we say it? The same question might be asked of our thanking God for the food we are about to eat, or anything else. It’s not a bad custom, but is it more than a custom? Would you thank God for a couple of burnt pieces of toast with as much attention as you would for a four-course meal made by a famous chef?

            I’m not saying that our gratitude for something needs to be all-out for everything. We don’t need to do a Broadway production to thank someone for holding a door. All I’m really suggesting is that we “open our eyes” and be present when expressing our gratitude. Take the time, even if it’s five seconds, to savor being grateful instead of just setting our bodies on autopilot. And maybe tomorrow, I'll actually look at what David said.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more