I have been pleasantly surprised lately at how often people are saying “thank you! ” Store clerks, restaurant workers, and service personnel seem to go out of their way to offer thanks. I’ve got to say, that as a patron of these businesses, it makes me feel appreciated and brings a smile to my face.
Most parents train their children at a young age to say thanks when they receive a gift. We don’t always instruct them to give thanks when somebody does something nice for them.
Somehow as we get older we seem to get out of the habit of giving thanks. Perhaps we just get busy and forget to be grateful at the time. Maybe it’s because we expect others to do good to us.
Our God is a good God. He is constantly giving us good things that we don’t deserve. That is called grace. By His grace He saves us from our sins. By His grace He gives us new life. By His grace He calls us His children. He expects us to respond with gratitude. Psalm 50:23 says, “The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to the one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God! ” An old song says, “Count your blessings, name them one by one! ” We should take time to thank God for each of the blessings He gives.
Reluctant Retiree 