Thank You to Who?

When a child receives a gift or a kind gesture from somebody, one may often hear the parents ask, “What do you say?” Sometimes the child will give a quiet response of “Thank you” in the direction of their parents. To this nearly inaudible response the parents, gesturing in the direction of the giver of the gift, say “No, tell him/her.” The child then turns his/her focus to this kind person and says, “Thank you.”
With some children this comes more naturally than others. An exuberant, responsive thank you just rolls off their tongue. For other children, especially due to shyness, speaking these words to a stranger are very difficult. Tears can begin to well up in their eyes at the request by the parent to speak to another. For some reason it is extremely difficult to say “thank you” to the person from whom they have received a kindness.
As Thanksgiving approaches once again this year, I've noticed variations of these scenarios occurring. Many reminders are around us of ways to be thankful in November. We are encouraged to think about not only the great things but also the precious people in our lives. With these reminders many people reflect on the blessings in their lives and confess thankfulness for them.
The question arises, “Who are we thankful to?” When the thankfulness is for a person and their actions throughout the past year, the thanks may be directed to that person. But for general things like health, safety, a place to stay and food to eat, the object of our thanks is often vague. Many seem to just be thankful for things, but not really thankful to anyone. We feel the gratefulness, but do not or cannot express the source of that for which we appreciate.

“Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse].” (James 1:17 AMP) When we reflect all of the things from which we have taken comfort over the past year, we must always remember who is the giver of good gifts. God Himself should always be the object of our thankfulness.

God is the source of hope. “May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope.” (Romans 15:13 AMP) Thank You God!

God has established our family. “God places the solitary in families and gives the desolate a home in which to dwell.” (Psalm 68:6a AMP) Thank You God!

God provides for all of our needs. “And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 AMP) Thank You God!

God directs our paths. “The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step].” (Psalm 37:23 AMP) Thank You God!

God is always with us. “…for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]” (Hebrews 13:5b AMP) Thank You God!

The list is endless. Our God is limitless. Thank You God! Thank You God! Thank You God!

Why is it more difficult for some than others to acknowledge God's goodness in our lives? Or even, why is it harder at some stages of our lives to acknowledge the blessings of God? Even when we acknowledge Him, there can be a difficultness to speak that thanks to Him. In the heart of a believer, this should never be so. “Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 AMP) In good times and even in the difficult times, we open our mouths and speak our thanks to God. Always we must allow the Holy Spirit to encourage us to express our thanks to our Heavenly Father. “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and a thank offering and into His courts with praise! Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name!” (Psalm 100:4 AMP)

Let’s all grow up and begin a lifestyle of quickly giving thanks to God for all of its great and precious gifts. Thanksgiving can be an automatic response that begins to well up in our hearts throughout the day. We need no reminder because receiving from God and giving thanks to Him become an automatic, lifestyle response.

This Thanksgiving, do not be like the young children above, needing reminders to thank the Lord. Open up your hearts with true thankfulness and acknowledge the God who is the giver of all good gifts. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord be thankful unto Him!