Thanksgiving has come and gone, and it’s time to turn our attention to the next big holiday—Christmas. But before we turn our attention to tinsel, mistletoe, and stockings hung by the fire with care…Just because the “holiday” of Thanksgiving is over doesn’t mean that our attitude of gratitude should end. Gratitude is becoming to the Believer, and certain types of thankfulness truly produce spiritual fruit.
As we sat around our Thanksgiving table last Thursday, we all shared those things for which we were thankful. The praises ranged from classes passed to engagements, new marriages to babies on the way, and, for me, my new life without glasses after my cataract surgery. It was sweet, and there was nothing wrong with those things, for which we were thankful. In fact, according to I Thessalonians 5:18, we are called to be thankful in any and every circumstance.
Yes, those thankful praises are wonderful, but a type of thankfulness that builds courage in our loved ones is even better. The Apostle Paul, on numerous occasions, shared his thankfulness over the spiritual growth he saw among the young believers in the new-found Christian church. In the book of Romans, Paul shared his thankfulness for the Romans’ faith that was being proclaimed worldwide. In Corinthians, he mentioned how thankful he was for the evidence of God’s grace in their lives. Paul assured the saints in Ephesus that he was thankful for them as he heard of their love for all the saints. And, to the church at Philippi, he extended thanksgiving for their faithfulness in sharing the Gospel.
In all these passages (and more), Paul carefully shared his observations concerning the spiritual strength and growth of those he ministered to. Their efforts to “become more like Christ” did not go unnoticed. Regardless of how busy Paul was, he took time to let the churches know that he saw what they were doing and that what he saw caused him to be thankful.
Paul took the time to encourage the growing believers in all of the churches, and that encouragement produced even more fruit for eternity.
We have the same opportunity to encourage our family, friends, and acquaintances. As we purposefully notice their choices that glorify God and show His greatness, we can literally “pour courage” into their lives through our words of encouragement and thankfulness because of them. Especially when it comes to our children, when we see them working hard to discard old habits in order to be pleasing to the Lord, a well-placed word of thankfulness will help them have the courage to make even more God-honoring changes in their lives.
Words of thankfulness and encouragement should be the normal communication course for us. However, I’m afraid we are so attuned to our children’s (or spouse’s) failures that we don’t slow down to recognize and show gratitude for their efforts at change and growth. Everyone needs a booster shot of encouragement now and then. It’s hard to try to change our bad habits and behaviors when no one seems to notice.
If you’re not naturally inclined toward thankfulness and encouragement, ask the Lord to give you eyes to see and ears to hear what is going on around you. I promise the more you encourage even the tiniest bits of growth through your words of thankfulness, the more growth and change you will see. A family who is quick to show their thankfulness for what the Lord is doing in their midst will be an unmistakable light to a lost and dying world.
How about it? Will you become God’s instrument to others by “catching” them doing well and letting them know that you are thankful for their spiritual growth? Don’t wait another day… Begin to show your thankfulness to the ones who long to know that you see and appreciate their efforts!
Megan Scheibner 