Growing up, my Mom made us write thank you notes and I appreciate that so much. My daughters were expected to write thank you notes and still do. We were taught not to take kind acts for granted or feel entitled. We were to be thankful, not only for the gift, but for the person using their time and money for us! If only I would not take for granted or feel entitled to all that God has given me! Maybe I need to be more thankful!
God's grace has made it possible for us to thank Him every day for his faithfulness. Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 8: 39, "neither the world above nor the world below—there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord." This is reason enough for us to give thanks every day! Praise God even when you don't know what he is doing! Psalm 107: 1, "Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good; his love is eternal!" 1 Thessalonians 5: 18, "...be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus." Sometimes praise is a sacrifice when we are struggling and weary. Psalm 28: 6, "Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy."
Jesus taught us to pray, “Father, hallowed be your name” which recognizes God as holy, our Everything! This reminds us recognize all that God is and all that God has done for us. Before we ask God for something, we should give God glory and honor. Psalm 92: 1-2, "How good it is to give thanks to you, O Lord, to sing in your honor, O Most High God, to proclaim your constant love every morning and your faithfulness every night..." We should begin and end each day by giving thanks to God for His love and faithfulness! Psalm 113: 3, "From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised."
Praise softens our hearts and makes it more pliable for God to work on us. The more we spend time thanking God and being grateful the more we realize we enjoy being in the presence of God. No matter our circumstances today, and before we ask for anything, let's give God the glory! Psalm 103: 2, "Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—"
Psalm 126: 3, "The Lord has done great things for us..." Let's show thankfulness in our life!