From as early as I can remember, my parents taught me to say “Thank you!” when people gave me gifts or helped me in some way. In turn, when I became a parent, I instilled this same behavior in my children. Perhaps you have never thought of it this way, but as our Heavenly Father, God desires to impart a sense of gratitude and thankfulness in His children, too! In fact, with the holiday season upon us, what better time than right now to explore: gratitude, thankfulness, and the beauty created when someone gives the gift of gratitude. Let’s not waste any time, dear friend, on shining a light on the grandeur found in giving the gift of gratitude!
Am I Grateful or Thankful?
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a person feels thankful in the moment when they are “conscious of [a] benefit [they have] received.” Providing additional clarification on what it means to be thankful, Jodi Schulz wrote an article titled “Gratitude Part 4: Gratitude versus thankfulness” as part of the Michigan State University Extension articles series. Jodi explains expressing thankfulness “tends to be an automatic response like when someone holds open a door.” Basically, feeling thankful is an automatic, in-the-moment response to receiving something (i.e., help, a gift, etc.).
Although people tend to use grateful and thankful synonymously, they do not hold the same meaning. Despite the Merriam-Webster Dictionary providing a similar definition to that of feeling thankful, their description of grateful denotes a subtle distinction. According to Merriam-Webster, an individual experiences gratefulness when they are “appreciative of benefits [they have] received.” In essence, experiencing appreciation, or gratitude, requires a deeper level of feeling, and acknowledgment, than merely an awareness of receiving a benefit, or gift. Instead, the sentiment of gratitude is more like a deep appreciation for all the good things in your life. (This concept is also reflected in the Michigan State University Extension article previously discussed.)
A Basic Example of Gratitude Versus Thankfulness
Many people wear glasses, including me. As an eyeglasses wearer, I am thankful when I pick up a new prescription because it means I will see things clearer. However, I am grateful that I have the gift of sight and have the ability to see the beauty of God’s creation. In fact, this example reminds me of a saying by Zig Ziglar at www.idlehearts.com, which has always stuck with me. “I opened two gifts this morning. They were my eyes.”
A Personal Story of Gratitude
As I have shared in previous posts, my sister (Becky) was born with spina bifida. Her physical disability served up many challenges, but it also afforded many learning opportunities. By far one of the greatest lessons of all is how precious, and sometimes too short, life is.
Several years ago I found myself in the midst of a conversation about birthdays and aging. One woman was complaining about turning 30 years old. Validating her sentiment, another woman declared how she was not looking forward to her 40th birthday in a couple of years. After listening to the conversation unfold, I decided to join the mix. However, what I shared stood in stark contrast to their musings. Looking into the eyes of each woman, I explained how my 40th birthday had been my best birthday (up to that point in time). In fact, I told them I was looking forward to my 50th birthday, which left them completely shocked.
Not wanting to leave the ladies perplexed by my last statement, I explained my rationale. Granted, no one looks forward to the physical changes which accompany aging, but there are still many blessings for which to be grateful with the passage of time. You see, dear friend, Becky’s 33rd birthday celebration ended up as her last. Therefore, I am grateful for each year I see another birthday because my sister no longer does.
In addition, I recognize it can be difficult watching loved ones grow older, fight life-threatening illnesses, and coping with increased physical limitations. However, I remain grateful for any opportunity I have to share in life’s moments with them. No matter the swirling torrent of emotions I may carry in my heart, the ability to make precious memories is priceless! A true blessing from the Creator for which I am eternally grateful.
The Beauty (or Grandeur) Found in Giving the Gift of Gratitude
When an individual expresses gratitude, the benefits are two-fold. How? Well, when a person gives the gift of gratitude to another, they begin creating a practice of growing gratitude. The act of repeatedly choosing to express gratefulness to others positively impacts an individual’s perspective and overall outlook on life. What results? Not only does such a transformation fuel a person’s inner light to shine brightly (or perhaps even brighter), but positivity and beauty (grandeur) proliferate beyond their circle of influence and into the world.
Sharing the gift of gratitude benefits the person on the receiving end, too. How? Essentially, when someone receives another person’s genuine appreciation, it positively reinforces how they respond in the future. In fact, I have a special story to share which illustrates this point.
Students for Students
In previous posts, I shared how I taught elementary school. Actually, in the course of almost twenty years, I had the privilege of working with hundreds of third graders. During this time, I aimed to reinforce each child’s sense of self-worth while also celebrating their uniqueness.
On the first day of every school year, I began by telling my students, “You are special, unique, and deserving of respect. This is because there is no one else in the world quite like you!” Then, I explained the different ways they could expect to receive positive reinforcement for demonstrating this philosophy through their actions.
One avenue I established for students to gift the gift of gratitude to one another was called Students for Students. Here is how it worked. When one of my students wanted to express their genuine appreciation for another student, they would complete a Students for Students certificate and place it in a giant jar. Then, every Friday before end-of-the-day dismissal, one student would draw three certificates out of the jar and read them to the class.
Students for Students operated differently the last week of the school year. At that time, all of the undrawn, unread certificates were shared aloud and given to each student to keep. By the way, by the conclusion of the school year, the jar’s contents would often overflow and wind up in giant paper grocery bags, which were filled, too! In fact, one school year my class spent at least three hours sharing gratitude! (Great reminder of how children need to receive gifts of gratitude as much as adults do!)
Wrapping up this program always touched my heart. Why? Well, I witnessed the power behind students teaching each other how genuine, deeply-felt (and expressed) gratitude works. Invariably, one recipient (and often several) of a Students for Students certificate would comment, “I don’t even remember when [a specific situation] happened.” Immediately, the student who gave the gift of gratitude would respond, “Well, it did, and it made a big difference and meant a lot.” Oh, the power and grandeur of gratitude!
Expressing Gratitude to God, The Three in One
Remember I shared when parents teach their children the automaticity in saying, “Thank you!” to others upon receiving a gift or assistance with something? Well, what about thanking God the Father, Jesus Christ, or the Holy Spirit? After all, people receive many gifts from the Holy Trinity each and every day.
As Heavenly Father, God has gifted each of us with every aspect of His beautiful creation, including plants, animals, nature, etc. It also includes you, dear friend! In fact, our very senses are gifts from God. Since a person’s senses operate automatically, it is no wonder people often overlook them as gifts. They are gifts for which we should thank our Heavenly Father. However, how often do you think someone wakes up and thanks God for these gifts before climbing out of bed?
Jesus Christ loves every person, including you and me, so much that He willing gave up His life, so we may have eternal life with Him and our Heavenly Father. The fact Jesus laid down His earthly life for the forgiveness of sins is practically mind blowing and extremely humbling! Such a selfless, loving sacrifice deserves a major “THANK YOU!!!” not only through words but also in how we live. After all, through Christ we have been made new! Thank You, Jesus for being the Savior of the world!
Growing up I had always been taught about Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross. However, it was not until becoming an adult, when I finally relinquished my perceived control over things and gave it all to God. In that moment, Jesus became Lord of my life, which means I never have to face things alone. In fact, the Holy Spirit guides me in all aspects of my life. I must only remember to seek Him first. (Confession: In moments when I have not sought Him first, things have not gone as well.) Thank You, Jesus for being the Lord of my life!
What Scripture Says about Gratitude
In the Old Testament, Scripture describes one of the Levites’ duties at the temple of the Lord as thanking and praising Him every morning and night (1 Chronicles 23:30, NIV). Essentially, God’s children should express gratitude to Him every day and at different times during the day.
Remember discussing how expressing gratitude to others (including God) results in positivity and beauty extending beyond an individual’s circle of influence and out into the world? Well, Scripture supports this notion. According to Psalm 107:1-3 (NIV), “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story…from east and west, from north and south.”
Earlier this post addressed how some God-given gifts, which occur automatically and without much recognition (i.e., senses, etc.), often go without much expression of gratitude to the Creator. The Word provides a list of gifts from the Lord, including His creation and provisions, for which He should receive a hearty “Thank You!” (Psalm 136:1-26, NIV). I especially want to highlight verse 26, which reads, “Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.” Thank You, God, for Your enduring love!
Highlighting A Special “God Moment” Which Occurred While Writing This Post
As part of my preparation for writing any post, I research Scripture to find verses which align and support the message the Holy Spirit calls me to write. This time God reinforced one of the verses I had selected. How did He do this? Well, He took my preselected Scripture and made it “Verse of the Day” on a link used for my readers. (This is a link, by the way, which I do not access until I am just about ready to publish a post.) Instead of feeling surprised, I am grateful to God for not only providing me the post’s message but also the accompanying Scripture. Thank You, God, for always providing what I (and we) need!
Are you curious what Scripture the Holy Spirit affirmed He wants me to share with you? Well, here it is. The message, written by Paul the Apostle, comes from the book of Colossians. “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:6-7, NIV) (bold and italics added for emphasis).
Closing Thoughts and a Call to Action
With the holidays upon us, there is not a better time than now to give the gift of gratitude to others. When you do, remember the One who gave the ultimate gift, His life for the forgiveness of sins. Show your gratitude by living a life “overflowing with thankfulness” and witness. In so doing, you give others a priceless gift, knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior! Therefore, let your light shine brightly and reveal the grandeur found in giving the gift of gratitude!
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