Thank You, Jesus!

Have you ever been asked what you were thankful for and you couldn’t come up with anything?  Why is that? Maybe we think we have to come up with some deep, meaningful answer, as if being thankful for something seemingly insignificant isn’t reason enough to be grateful. I’ve been guilty of this, but I can honestly say that the older I get, I find myself being thankful for the smallest of things.  

I recently read a story where a son asked his mom why she made her bed every day. She told him that the bed was a gift, something that not everyone had. So she made it pretty every morning, so that every night she got to unwrap the gift to remind her to be thankful. Simple yet beautifully powerful. You see, when we allow our perspective to be changed, the little things remind us of God’s provision for our needs.  

Philippians 4:19 “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” EVERY need…think about that. Not just our physical needs (food/water/air), but He provides direction (Prov. 20:24) and gives us rest (Ps. 23:2). He provides strength when we’re hurting (Ps. 46:1) and an exit when we’re tempted (1 Cor. 10:13). But possibly the most important is He gives us eternity through salvation (John 14:6) and of course, grace. 

When looking for a scripture reference for grace (there are so many), I came across one that was very thought-provoking. Romans 11:6 (ESV) says, “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise, grace would no longer be grace.” Grace would no longer be grace…WOW. When someone gives you a gift, if you have to work for it or earn it, it’s not really a GIFT, in the true sense of the word. We can’t earn God’s grace, He GIVES it freely, even when we don’t deserve it.  

Maybe next time when someone asks you what you are thankful for, you won’t have to think so hard!