Give Thanks

As the Christmas season wraps up and the hustle & bustle begins to wind down, I'm able to sit back and reflect over the details of the last few weeks. In doing so, I've learned a few things:

1) Waiting five days before Christmas to start shopping for gifts is not wise.

2) Even though I know the true meaning for Christmas, I definetly don't take enough time to reflect on the true miracle of Christmas.

3) When your brain screams "STOP EATING, YOU'RE FULL!" you should really take heed, because there's a good chance you'll regret eating that last slice of pie topped with whipped cream & ice cream.

4) I'm not a very patient person and I have low tolerance for rude people.

5) I don't thank God enough for all the wonderful things He's done for me.

I can go on, but I won't (how does won't mean will not? Shouldn't it be willn't?? The word won't always drove me crazy). Instead, I'll elaborate on #5.

On Christmas morning, we were all gathered in the family room of my sister's home. The kids were opening their gifts. Because I have this weird need to surprise my kids, my six year old should've been amazed to see all the gifts that awaited her ripping through them...yeah, uh no, she showed very little surprise at all. As the girls were opening the gifts my eyes wander back and forth from my girls to my neices. I see all the kids burst with excitment as each gift was revealed...all but Moriah's (we call her Mo). Mo just has this stoic look on her face. She seemed uninterested, bored even. It drove me crazy. It made me a little mad. Mad because not only did I brave the insanely busy stores the week of Christmas for her, but I spent a lot of hard earned money. And she had the nerve to sit there and not even pretend to like a single gift I so thoughtfully chose for her.

Fast forward about an hour later...all the presents are open, kids are playing & eating sweets from their stockings...Mo came to me when no one was close around and said, "Mommy, I liked all my gifts, I really do like them all, and the ones I really like the best are the sweater (which she was wearing at that point), the pillow pet, and the guitar (compliments of her aunt). Thank you, Mommy." The sensitive sappy mom in me wanted to cry, but I kept it together and simply hugged her & said "you're welcome & I'm glad you like them."

Later on, I realized that there are areas in my life in which I don't show adequate thankfulness to the One who blesses me. I might casually say something like, "thank you God for everything you do for me" in the opening or closing of a prayer. But how often do I truely express unrestrained thanks to God? Not nearly as often as I should. Everyday we should verbally and enthusiastically thank God for the many blessings and gifts He bestows upon us.

Let's take some time to tell God how grateful we are. Instead of only going to God for "I want" or "I need" try thanking Him for something instead. Give thanks to God for the small stuff, the huge stuff, all the stuff. Imagine how much our Father will be pleased when we simply express sincere gratitude. I know it's easy to take the everyday blessings (like waking up in the morning, food to eat, healthy bodies, electricty, a warm place to sleep, etc.) for granted, but what would we do without them? Let's not forget all that God does to take care of us. Let's remember to give thanks. Giving thanks is quite simply, expressing gratitude. Let's show God how truely grateful we are.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Psalm 103:2