Thank you...

The Oxford English Dictionary defines this word as ‘used to tell someone that you are grateful because they have given you something or done something for you’. I wonder if this is a word that you hear a lot of or if you’re craving for it. Perhaps you’ve had a long week, you’ve finished a long half term with family and are craving routine or it's just been one of those weeks that just hasn’t gone your way and all you wish is that someone would see and recognise you and just say ‘thank you’.

Presently, I think about how this little word can change a conversation, brighten the day of someone in a shop or make someone feel warm and loved inside by just a small little powerful word. This then overflows and spills out into the day and lives of those who feel appreciated and seen. As the warmer weather is trying to come and the flowers and trees grow around me, I am reminded of the one to which my true ‘Thank you’ is found. For all He has done for me and given to me despite of me.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 it says, Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. We are called to give thanks, worship him and give thanks through all our circumstances. This is a discipline even when we don’t feel like it or our present circumstances are difficult.

Gratitude is a powerful antidote for discouragement, disappointment, self pity, and any other scheme of the enemy. I want to encourage you with a few ways in which I am encouraged to lead a life of Gratitude and thanksgiving for all the God has done in my life. 

●      Worship Him - whether this be a moment to listen to sung worship exalting him or reading scripture about the truth of who He is. It will brighten your day in more ways than you expect. When we focus on Him our hearts are changed.

●      Recognising the little things - Look up! Look around you and see all the little ways in which God is moving in your life. A roof over our head, food on the table, community and so much more.

●      Calling out the good - We are made in the image of God, He has implanted in us God-given gifts and characteristics within each of us, so let’s recognise this in others and be grateful for one another. Speak this to one another as an encouragement of how the Lord has made them.

John Mark Comer says ‘what you give your attention to is the person you become’. Let’s be people that give our attention and are grateful for all that God has done, all that He’s created and all that He’s called us to be by being people of gratitude, worship and thanksgiving!