Doing Thanks

Psalm 65

The other day, while looking for a card to congratulate a soon-to-be mom, I was appalled to see that Christmas cards were already for sale. I couldn't believe my eyes, but right there, next to the cards in celebration of birthdays and printed words of condolences, were cards welcoming the Holiday Season.

My initial reaction was one of exasperation. I said to my wife, "It's bad enough we begin seeing Christmas trees in the big-box stores and commercials on TV advertising lay away deals for the holidays, but now the greeting card companies are getting a 3-month start."

She quietly replied, "Well, at least they're letting us thank God for God's gift earlier and earlier each year." I'm so glad she's my wife.

Thanking God is something I think we don't do enough of. Sure, we say thank you every time we pray. We say thank you whenever something goes very well for us or for our loved ones. But, in all honesty, we don't give thanks to God as often as we should.

The first part of verse 5 jumped out at me from today's reading. "By awesome deeds you answer us" says to me that God is a God that does for us, not just says to us; God is a God who acts, not just talks. Why then, do we think God deserves anything less from us.

The challenge as a Christian is to do more than say thank you when gratitude is to be given. As a follower of Christ I think we would want to do things for others, whether or not they ask for it. As for me, I don't think that I really do thanks as much as I could, and I certainly don't do thanks as much as I say it.

You see, in a way my wife was absolutely correct. God gave us the ultimate gift of Jesus and it's time now, more than ever, to start showing our thanks. Today is a good day as any to start living thankfulness.