Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.

~1 Chronicles 16:34 NLT

He told them to give thanks . . . and they listened.

The day was the Monday before our Thanksgiving break. The Upper School principal was to deliver the chapel sermon. The kids had heard him speak many times during the school year, but usually to correct them about some mischievous behavior, not share a sermon. This time, he would do the latter.

He pointed us to a familiar psalm where David thanks the Lord and instructs others to, also. He gave us three directives: have an attitude of gratitude, be faithful to be happy, and be thankful always. Then, he finished, but with a unique twist.

He called us teachers to the front, gave us a pad of sticky notes, and told us to distribute three to the students during the next class period. Then, he instructed the students to write thanks to three different people on the notes and place the notes on the person’s classroom or office door. He wanted to see sticky notes all over the school.

I did not return to the middle school hallway for two more periods, but when I did, I saw they had obeyed his instructions. My door was lavished with notes, as were the other teachers’ doors. Sticky notes hung from the exit signs and adhered to almost every locker. I read some of them, but I read all of them on my door. As always, the words of thanks—like cards I receive periodically during the year—encouraged me. The kids really do think what I do matters.

King David had previously tried bringing the Ark of the Covenant (the symbol of God’s presence with his people) to the Tabernacle—their worship house. But he failed to follow God’s instructions for moving it and paid the price. His next attempt proved successful. Then, he appointed Levites to lead the people in worship, which entailed thanking God.

Giving thanks when things are going our way is easy—but often we forget to because . . . well . . . things are going our way. Doing it when life throws us around with difficult circumstances proves more challenging.

We don’t have to thank God for the troubling circumstances, but we should always thank him, regardless of our situation. No matter how bad things are, they could be worse. Believers have a hope that unbelievers don’t: we know the God who orchestrates our circumstances and can instantly change them.

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

~1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT

Thanking God during the Thanksgiving season is appropriate, but doing so daily is even better—and spiritually healthy. It helps maintain our perspective of who we are and who God is. It reminds us that most people have far less than we do, even if we think we have little. We can thank God for such things as running hot water, modern conveniences, and our senses. And thanking God reorients our minds to the simple things of life. Those are the things we often overlook, but that makes life more peaceful if we think about them.

We don’t have to own a basketful of play toys to enjoy life. We have more than enough when we have a loving God, family, friends, and life’s necessities.

What are some things you can give thanks for this New Year?

Father, in all of life’s journey, help us to give thanks to you. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2024: Give Thanks: Martin Wiles: All Rights Reserved