by Richelle Hecker

Making Time to Give Thanks

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link. 

Our family was recently blessed with a newborn baby boy. The last four weeks have been a time of great joy, chaos, and lack of sleep.  Many loved ones generously gifted us with their time, meals, and items for the baby. I have attempted to sit down numerous moments to write thank you notes. I am frequently interrupted by the urgent demands of life around me. Driving children to their various activities, grocery shopping, feeding everyone, changing diapers, and many other pressing matters come first. I want to thank everyone for helping and loving our family, but it’s difficult to stop everything in order to do so.

However, saying thank you is important. It demonstrates gratitude to those who have made an effort to do things for us, helps them feel appreciated, and inspires them to continue giving to others. It also makes us remember that kindness is a gift to be appreciated and valued rather than taken for granted. I need to set aside specific time to thank people. If I try to stuff writing notes in-between the activities that override my schedule they will never get done. It is time to block out space in my calendar and move saying thank you to the top of my priority list. 

If I’m struggling to make time to say thanks to those who have blessed me at such a joyful time, how much more difficult it is to prioritize thanking God during times of great sorrow! Yet the Bible tells us to,

“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus“
1 Thessalonians 5:18 New International Version

How can we give thanks in all circumstances? We set aside time to remember all that God has done. Our thankfulness comes from recognizing what is most important. Thanking God for your salvation is a great place to begin, after that the Psalms are filled with more ideas if you’re having a hard time coming up with your own. Block out time in your day to focus on thanking God. He deserves our thanks.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, CO