"Deep joy is found only at the table of thanksgiving" (excerpt from One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp). It's interesting that in the book of Hebrews giving thanks is described as being a sacrifice. "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name." (Hebrews 13:15) Somehow He knew that giving thanks and offering praise would be a sacrifice for us. Actually, most people need to be taught to say "thank you". It's one of the early lessons almost every parent tries to instill in their children, to say "please" and "thank you". Do we teach children to say thank you because it's polite or do we teach them to say thank you to verbally recognize and appreciate the gift from the giver?
I was substitute teaching in a high school geometry math class the other day (where I quickly realized I remember absolutely nothing about high school geometry) and as I passed out the packet of work to the students there were a few who, in response, said "thank you". Now, I don't think they were really, truly grateful and appreciative of the work I was passing out, but on some small level, I felt like my job (my temporary job of being in a classroom with the sole role being to pass out this paper) was appreciated and welcome. Maybe that's why we often say in response to "thank you"..."you're welcome". We are taught that when we have conversations with people, you should make eye contact. When you tell someone you love them, look them in the eye when you say it. That way they know you are really talking to them. How many times do I go through a check-out line in the store and say "thank you" without actually looking at the cashier's face? Do they really feel "thanked" by that? Am I merely do lip service or am I actually offering the fruit of my lips, thanks and praise? If we were taught well enough as a child, it becomes habit and so the words do come naturally to us. Without a single pause, we rattle off our thank you without even stopping. But we are told to give thanks to something, rather, someone. To give thanks to His name. To offer our praise and our thanks to the one and only God. The amazing part of this whole thing is that when we do offer this sacrifice of praise to Him, we end up being filled with deep joy.
In her book, One Thousand Gifts, the author reminds us to give thanks about everything. She begins to list the things she is thankful for and finds her heart being transformed in the process. She discovers a joy and a freedom when she thanks God. As I prepare to move to Ecuador, I could spend my time mourning the loss of certain things (big and small) or I could spend it giving thanks for that which I have in this moment. So here's a few things from my list:
-Hot showers without a time limit
-Belly laughing with my sister
-Hand written cards/letters
-Meandering through a store because I'm not in a rush
-The smell of freshly brewed coffee floating up the steps to my room in the morning
-Hours of talking on the phone with a friend
-Clear Skype connections
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