Jump Start # 737

Psalms 86:12 I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And will glorify Your name forever.

We are looking at thankfulness this week. In many ways, it seems, that thankfulness ought to be natural and not something one has to be reminded of nor something that we have to learn. But our culture is not thankful. The environment is getting and taking instead of reflecting and thanking. It is good to pause and remember and remind ourselves to be thankful.

Thankfulness is more than simply saying the words, “Thank you.” Thankfulness is a way of life. A person that is thankful appreciates and takes cares of the things he is thankful for.

• A person that is thankful for their health will take care of themselves to the best that they can. There are lifestyle habits that are not good for our health. The thankful person is aware of those things.

• A person that is thankful for their marriage will take care of that marriage. They will not take it for granted. He or she will spend time with their spouse, and build that relationship because they are thankful for it.

• A person that is thankful for their church will honor it and connect with it. They will have a hard time staying away. They love their church family.

• A person that is thankful for their salvation will protect it, grow it and share it with others.
• A person that is thankful for God will spend time with God. He will talk with God. He will think about God.

Thankfulness is much more than words. It’s actions. It’s attitude. It changes us and affects us. It is good to be thankful. Could it be said that a person who ignores their marriage, their health, their salvation or their God is not thankful? Taking care of things comes with being thankful. That is a lesson that ought to be taught. Things do not take care of themselves. Without attention yards, hearts, marriages and faith tend to look shabby and full of weeds. Caring is an aspect of thankfulness.

Give that some thought. Are you taking care of what is important to you? Are you thankful beyond words?

Roger