1 Corinthians 1:4
“I always thank my God for you…”
It’s that time of year again. It is the season when we recount all of the things for which we are thankful. While oftentimes material possessions and earthy blessings top our Thanksgiving lists, this year, I would suggest we place a special focus on who, not what we are all thankful for.
While there is nothing wrong with being thankful for the material blessings in our lives and all the ways God provides for us – we should certainly be thankful for all of these things, I have been reminded through many all too real and painful ways over the past few weeks of how life is precious – life is often all too short – life is ultimately about people, about relationships – it is not about things. God tells us throughout the Bible to spend our days focused on Him and others – not on obtaining possessions or positions. Consider for a minute that when we leave this world, the only thing we will be able to take with us are those around us.
Throughout the Apostle Paul’s letters we see a pattern of him exuding a grateful spirit and specifically expressing thanks for those in his life. The Christians in Corinth were far from perfect, but Paul began his first letter to them by saying, “I always thank God for you.”
Are you truly thankful for the people God has placed in your life?
More so, do you let them know that you appreciate them and are thankful for them?
While relationships are often messy and complicated, and no person, family, or friendship is perfect, it is all too easy to take those around us for granted and forget how blessed we are for those who have touched our lives. It is so easy to complain and become hurt or angry because they do not meet our every need or ideal of what the given relationship should look like. But we need to give thanks for those around us—our spouses, our children, our parents, our relatives, our friends and others who love and support us in some way.
We cannot assume we will always have another chance to express our appreciation to those around us.
Let us take this Thanksgiving to give thanks for those who are a part of our life. Think of those in your life who have loved and supported you. How can you express your thanks for them today?
