For September 16th

 “…pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1Thessalonians5:17-18

I am never sure how to really thank someone. I feel like “thanks” does not carry the weight of my emotions. I have habit formed hello, goodbye and thank you. Much like a robot programmed by years of my mothers’ hard work, I say these words. I do however mean from the bottom of my heart, “Hello”. I sincerely hope to convey my gratitude when thanking someone. Pondering if those true emotions can be summed in a word or two, I have begun a personal promise to make my, “Thank You” be at the very least a sentence. In the beginning I fumbled: a man held the door for me and (I looked like a weirdo) as I tried to find a subject, verb, adjective and prepositional phrase to thank him for holding the door.

Likewise, I do not easily receive. Accepting help is hard for me. I am sure it is pride mixed with my fears of being inadequate. I am a creature who in her soul thinks I must do everything. I struggle with a feeling of weakness if I cannot handle every aspect of my life without help.

We are designed to be serving, to love one another, to give to each other. Demonstrating graciousness we reassure each other our service is helping, being noticed, and appreciated. That is when love is truly communicated. Within our efforts to receive we know love. Somewhere in our, “Thank you” is God. Scripture teaches to praise and give thanks in all things. Often mine are under my breath quickly skirted, even to the Lord. I do not think that the quick, “Thank you” is a bad thing. Looking for opportunities to make my “Thank you” better allows me to be closer to people, even more importantly to God. I am learning, in the art of give and take, is a life with love as He intended.

Meg Maddox