Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! . . .
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so. —
Psalm 107:1-2

Unexpressed Gratitude
               by Cindy Hess Kasper

The whole reason for saying thanks is
to let the giver of a gift know how much
you appreciate something. Author
G. B. Stern once said, “Silent gratitude
isn’t much use to anyone.”

When our son was young, he sometimes
needed to be reminded that avoiding eye
contact, looking down at his feet, and
mumbling some unintelligible words was
not an acceptable “thank you.” And after
many years of marriage, my husband and
I are still learning that it’s important for us
to continually express our gratitude to each
other. When one of us feels appreciative,
we try to verbalize it—even if we’ve said it
many times before about the same thing.
William Arthur Ward said, “Feeling
gratitude and not expressing it is like
wrapping a present and not giving it.”

Showing our gratitude is obviously important
in human relationships, but it’s even more
essential in our relationship with God. As
we think about the many blessings we have
received, do we express our thanks to Him
throughout the day? And when we think of
the amazing gift of His death and
resurrection for forgiveness of our sins, do
our hearts bubble over with awe and
thanksgiving? (Rom. 6:23; 2 Cor. 9:15).

Take the reminder in Psalm 107:1 to heart
each day: “Give thanks to the Lord, for He
is good!”

How great should be our gratitude
To God our unseen Friend!
The volume of His gifts to us
We cannot comprehend. —Hess

GOD'S HIGHEST GIFT SHOULD
AWAKEN OUR DEEPEST
GRATITUDE.

ESPECIALLY ON THANKSGIVING
GIVE THANKS TO GOD!

(Our Daily Bread)