Thanks

Our daughter-in-love, Kimberly, texted us this morning and asked us to call when we both could talk with her. Even though we had two preschool grandchildren in our home eating breakfast, we called right away. Kimberly and her family have had so many health challenges during the past year, so we expected to hear a report on either her health condition or that of one of the girls.

We were wrong. She talked about how hard it was to have lived in Tajikistan 25 years ago. It was a dark time in their lives, and Kimberly struggled with living there. But she was resolved in knowing that was the place that God wanted them in that season. She was struggling with learning the language, and their fellow workers were not very friendly, so she and Jeremy were lonesome for companionship with other English-speaking friends. One day while she was walking in town, a man stopped and tried to convince her to get in his car. It seemed that everything was piling up against them.

Certainly, Satan was working on her and trying to get in the middle of her life. But Kimberly resisted all of this and decided to not ask the Lord for anything, but to only give thanks to Him. God heard her thankful heart and led her through this dark period.

We were wrong about Kimberly’s call this morning. She did not mention any life challenges that they are having right now. She asked us if we would join her in not asking the Lord for anything today, but simply to give thanks to God for all that He has done for us.

We were honored that she would ask us to participate with her.  We agreed. Today we will only give thanks and not ask God for anything. After all, I Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Would you join us and only be thankful today?

Here are a few more verses I have cogitated on this morning about saying “thank you” to the Lord:

“I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord most high.” Psalm 7:17

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; his love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.” Psalm 100:4

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; his love endures forever.” Psalm 107:1

“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.” 1 Corinthians 9:11-12