I grabbed my journal and started to write, “I’m thankful for…” But I stopped.

Instead, I wrote “Thank you, God, for…” The small shift in focus made all the difference.

When we celebrate a holiday like Thanksgiving (or even when we’re “counting our blessings” on a day not set aside to give thanks), our natural tendency is to focus on what we are thankful FOR and skim over WHO we are thankful TO.

Many of us (our family included) often end our Thanksgiving meal sharing what we are thankful for. This isn’t bad; it’s just incomplete.

As we express our gratitude FOR our blessings let’s also express our gratitude TO the one from whom these blessings come–namely, our gracious heavenly Father.

As James 1:17 reminds us: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Psalm 136 echos this sentiment:

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
² Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
³ Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.

As we give thanks for our blessings, let’s also remember to give thanks to the one from whom all blessings come.

Everything good thing in our life is God’s whisper to us of His enduring love for us.

You are loved,

Donna

P.S. I thank God for you, my sweet friend!