The young doctor approached my father and me, removing a mask that exposed a grin. “Good news! The surgery went well. I believe we removed all of the tumor,” he said. “You can go see her in recovery shortly, although she may not be fully conscience.”
Dad and I hugged the doctor, hugged each other, and then sighed with relief. Mom had made it through. After nine long hours of brain surgery, this was cause to praise and thank God if ever there was one!
On my drive home from the hospital, I felt as though I couldn’t possibly thank God enough for what He’d done in my life. It was then that I realized many times my thankfulness usually generated typical responses. “Thank you, God,” I would say aloud. Or perhaps I’d sing a song to show my thankfulness. And of course the tithe from each paycheck should count for thankfulness too, shouldn’t it?
Even though I knew these were acceptable ways to thank the Lord, I sensed Him calling me to broaden my understanding of the subject. I searched the scriptures to open my mind and heart to other ways of showing thanksgiving to God.
I’ve discovered that we don’t need to wait for a reason or a particular answer to prayer to thank Him. We can thank God right now in our day-to-day lives.
Three Ways to Thank God Now
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Follow His Commands
One of the best ways to show our thankfulness to the Lord is to do what He says. When we obey God, we are speaking His love language. Obeying God’s commands is a way we can thank God now and every single day.
“If you love me, obey my commands.” John 14:5 NLT
“Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.”
1 John 5:3 NLT
ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO SHOW GRATITUDE TO GOD IS TO OBEY HIS COMMANDS. #everydaythankfulnesshttps://t.co/GrNytKnxGZ pic.twitter.com/kPPc94RtKI
— Beckie Lindsey (@BeckieLindsey_) November 18, 2016
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Love Him by Loving Others
Human beings are the only creatures on earth that bear God’s image (Genesis 1:27) He formed us with His hands and breathed His breath into our lungs (Genesis 2:7). God loves all people (1John 4:10). God, Himself is love (1John 4:8).
When we love to other people, we are showing our love and thankfulness to God. There are those who would have never darken the doorway of a church building if it were not for someone “showing” them the love of God. As Christians, we are in fact, the church. When we represent the love of Christ to others, we are showing God our thankfulness for what He has done in our lives, as well as the potential for what He can do in the lives of others.
“Jesus replied, ‘you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40 NLT
“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
John 13:35 NLT
“Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7 NLT
Show God your gratitude and love by loving others. #everydaythankfulness.https://t.co/GrNytKnxGZ pic.twitter.com/YD6JA1VZF1
— Beckie Lindsey (@BeckieLindsey_) November 18, 2016
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Grow in Relationship to Him
For any relationship to grow, it must be nurtured. It is the same with our relationship to God. A relationship can be looked at like a garden that must be tended to regularly or it will die. We show God our thankfulness by intentionally working on our relationship each day.
“‘I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
‘Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.’”
John 15:1-5 NLT
As God’s children, we don’t need an excuse to show our thankfulness to God. Our obedience, love, and growing relationship with Him should naturally pour out of our lives. Thanksgiving need not come only once a year. Every day is Thanksgiving for the followers of Christ.
EVERY DAY IS THANKSGIVING FOR THE CHRISTIAN. #everydaythankfulnesshttps://t.co/GrNytKnxGZ pic.twitter.com/VFhDjejJPG
— Beckie Lindsey (@BeckieLindsey_) November 18, 2016
“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT
Let’s share three things we are thankful for in the comments below. I’ll start.
One: I’m thankful for how personal God is to me. Two:I’m thankful for my husband, Scott and our three great kids and my daughter-in-law. Three: I’m also thankful to live in the United States of America.
YOUR TURN TO SHARE!
I am thankful that God loved me from the very beginning. I am thankful for His word that guides me, and I am thankful the people He puts in my life to love me, keep me accountable, and who challenge me to speak of the hope He has given me.
Amen, Patty! Thanks for sharing. Happy Thanksgiving, my dear friend.
And to you.
These are great and practical ways to thank God. We should be doing these all the time. Praise His name.
Amy, Yes, praise the name of Jesus! Thanks for stopping by Spotlight. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
This beautifully inspired read pairs well with the coming holiday – Thanksgiving. Really appreciate you sharing about your mother and her successful surgery. To God be the Glory. Keep shining for Jesus, Beckie!
Shira, Wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving. I’m truly thankful for you.
I am thankful that God never gave up on me, even when, long ago, I turned my back on Him – He redeemed me!
I am thankful for my family – husband – children – stepchildren – grandgirls – and mother and mother-in-law still with us.
I am thankful for the gift of writing God has graced me with. May I never cease to praise Him and promote His kingdom through my words.
Happy Thanksgiving, Beckie! I am so thankful for blogging friends like you!
Martha, “Write” back at ya! I appreciate your support, encouragement, and friendship. Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving!
Great post, Beckie! I’m thankful that God loves me unconditionally and sent HIs Son to die for me. I’m thankful for my job in ministry and how it allows me to do the things I’m passionate about. I’m thankful for good friends and family who come alongside me on this journey. And I’m thankful for my new friends through the BRCWC! Happy Thanksgiving, Beckie!
Crickett, Thanks for sharing! I’m grateful for the support and encouragement from fellow writers like you! Wishing you and yours a very blessed Thanksgiving!
I am thankful for:
The freedom to read a blog like yours and to be able to write one of my own.
God’s grace–that He doesn’t give up working on the ugliness in my heart.
A time to rest
Heather, I agree with you. Thanks for sharing! Keep shining your light, sister!
I am thankful for God’s saving grace, the family He blessed me with, and people like you who shine His light through the gift of writing. Thank you!
Deborah, Aww, thanks so much for the ultimate compliment and for stopping by the Spotlight blog. Blessings to you and yours!
I’m thankful God is never put off nor offeneed by my neediness. I’m thankful for God’s provision and unfailing Sovereign timing. I’m thankful for my compassionate husband and two middle school children.
P.S., I’m thankful I met Beckie at Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference 🙂
April, You made my day 🙂 I’m glad to know you too! Blessings to you and your family during this holiday season.
Beautifuly said – intimately shared. Thank you.
Chris, Thanks for taking the time to comment. Merry Christmas!
I loved your first way of showing God we love Him: “When we obey God, we are speaking His love language.” I never thought about His love language before…
I’m so thankful for the beautiful world God gave us – both the physical natural world and the blogging world – I so love nature and I love community. Finding a group of Christ-followers to discuss our passions is such a blessing. I’m also thankful for the church and for the group I do life with – I’d be pretty lonely without them.
Hi Beckie, I’m grateful for God who loves me tenderly, meets my every need and showers me with good things.
By the way, I loved this post!
Visiting from the Loft today.
Marva | SunSparkleShine
Marva, So glad you stopped by Spotlight and took the time share. I’m grateful for a community of encouraging Christian writers!
Jerralea, I appreciate your encouraging words and that you took the time to share what you are thankful for. I agree with you too!
Merry Christmas!
I want to be thankful every day. Keeping a prayer journal helps me to do that. Thank you for this post and for letting us use it in Refresh!
A prayer journal is what I use too. I love looking back to see how faithful the Lord is, even when I’m not.
I’m honored to be published in such a beautiful inspirational magazine!