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Every parent knows the drill. And, because every person was once a child, we all learned the same drill early. As soon as Johnny is given his dessert or a piece of candy, Mom waits just a moment and then cocks her head to the side and says: “What did you say?” Little Johnny is thinking: “Uh, I didn’t say anything.” That’s just the problem. So, Mom continues with what becomes her oft-repeated lesson: “You must say, ‘thank you.’” We never grow up to a point when we no longer need Mom’s lesson. That’s probably because we rarely seem to really get it. How often do we remember to say “thank you” to God, family, employers, waitresses and the mail man? For the believer, saying “thank you” is more than a catch phrase drilled into our minds when we were too pliable to resist. For us, having a thankful spirit is nothing short of the will of God. Paul wrote these simple, yet startling words: “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God.” (I Thessalonians 5:18) I’m afraid some Christians might respond to that command with: “But, that’s just not me . . . that’s not my personality— to be verbally or demonstrably thankful.” God’s Word does not command us to do something we are unable to do. Evidently, with the help of the Spirit, we can be thankful and give thanks. Being thankful might not be who we are right now; but, God is evidently expecting this to be who we become. A thankful spirit is not a personality trait . . . it is an act of the will. It’s a decision to follow God’s clear command. Saying “thank you” is what we decide to do . . . being thankful is what we decide to become. In fact, a refusal to radically change our attitude of ingratitude to one of gratitude is disobedience, plain and simple. Maybe that’s why we would prefer to view verses like I Thessalonians 5:18 as suggestions, rather than non-negotiables. Because God the Father is a patient parent who knows we need this drill, He provided a living model. As our Lord Jesus, the God-man, was tested, tempted and pressured in His humanity, He modeled for us what it means to be thankful. There are four times recorded in His autobiography where He gave thanks. He gave thanks at the grave of Lazarus and three times He gave thanks when he had bread in His hands. Feeding 4,000 hungry people on one occasion and 5,000 on another, our Lord broke apart freshly created loaves and fish to feed the hungry masses. Each time, He first stopped and gave thanks to His Father. You might be thinking: “I can do that! Give me miraculous power to provide for my family with plenty left over and I’ll gladly give thanks!” The truth is, full stomachs, bulging attics and bank accounts can work against having a thankful spirit—we can all too easily take God’s provision for granted. There were ten lepers who were miraculously given a new lease on life, and only one of them took the time to give thanks. We need to be like the one. Our Lord did not just give thanks at hillside miracle banquets. In the upper room, our Lord gave thanks . . . twice. The first time, He gave thanks when he handed His disciples a loaf of bread, symbolizing His death. The second time, He gave thanks as He raised His cup and told them that the crushed grapes of His wine would symbolize the spilling of His blood and the crushing of His own life. And, there, in that upper room, Christ uttered the unimaginable . . . He said, “Thank You.” He knew what was coming next and still He said, “Thank You!” So, no matter what you are facing today—you belong to the One who gave thanks, knowing He would die for you. This Thanksgiving season, that should encourage you to become a more thankful person as you live for Him. Let’s choose to depend on His strength to do something amazing—now, say it with me—“Thank you!” There . . . that wasn’t so bad, now was it?
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