Always Say This Out Loud

"Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone."

 ~Gladys Berthe Stern 

After my Dad died last summer, I came home sick. I was tired and emotionally overwhelmed, and I was profoundly aware of the least kindnesses shown to me.

One of those was my doctor calling in a prescription for me instead of making me wait a week to see him. I was so grateful and wrote him a note letting him know that one decision had made my burden lighter. He in turn called to thank me for the thank you. I don't think doctors get too many of those.

Last week I sent a note to a dear friend who shared with me a yummy cream cheese pound cake recipe years ago. I think of her every time I make that cake, and I wanted her to know how much I appreciated her.

And then there are all those thanks I never sent out, I never said, except in my head. I've mentioned before that for at least a couple of months before my Dad died, I meant to send him a thank you for the Matthew Henry commentaries he gave me years before. But, as someone observed, we always think those we love will live forever.

And what about our children? Are they more aware of what they get right than what they do wrong? Don't assume they know you're proud of them or see the many ways they're growing in grace or the little victories that happen every day. Our husbands? How many sacrifices do they daily make that we take for granted?

Think about what a difference it makes when someone shows you gratitude. Last night, feeling run-down and knowing my Beloved wasn't going to be home until after 10, I offered my children an amazing gourmet meal...canned chicken noodle soup. I know. It was lame, but it was what I could muster up. Instead of complaints, I hear, "Thank you for this wonderful dinner, Mommy." 

Yep. That's enough to make you cry.

If a cashier has been unusually pleasant to deal with at the grocery store checkout, stop by to tell the manager what a delight you've found his employee to be, and how thankful you are for her attitude. He'll be glad to pass along the compliment, and she'll go home encouraged and freshly motivated about her work.

If a neighbor's flowerbed catches your eye every time you pull into the driveway, walk over and tell her how thankful you are for the hard work she puts into tending her yard and how it just seems to get more beautiful year after year.

And, of course, when you're captivated by a glorious sunset, or comforted in sorrow, or uplifted by some sweet reminder of the hope God gives in the midst of life's many problems and challenges, make your praise ring not only in your head but on your tongue.

If your pastor's messages encourage your heart and deepen your walk with God, don't assume he just automatically knows this or gets tired of hearing how his ministry is impacting people's lives. Look him in the eye and thank him for his faithfulness to bring you the Word, or jot him a note with a few specifics of how something he said really ministered to you.

~Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Choosing Gratitude


May we have eyes wide open to see the many opportunities around us to say "thanks" and hearts and mouths and pens ever ready to do so.


With love,
Trisha