thanks | Thoughts About God

Thankfulness (Lessons from a 5 Year Old)

Thoughts_About_God — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 07:06:20 +0000

“Coby, you have to be thankful,” is the line of conversation between my two grandsons that caught my attention. I listened as Domonic, the 5 year old, was attempting to teach his 3 year old brother a profound life lesson.

They were negotiating who should play with which toy. Domonic’s plan was to use the “Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Mo” rhyme to determine who should get the more desirable one. But before he used this as the solution to their disagreement, he coached his little brother, saying, “Coby, if you get the larger toy you have to be thankful. No complaining. You have to say thank you. If you get the smaller toy you have to be thankful. No complaining. You have to say thank you.” However well-meaning Domonic was, Coby did not appreciate the wisdom offered by his brother that day, but maintained, “I want this one.”

God has some similar advice for us. In fact, it is a command. In the letter to the Corinthians, Paul urges his readers, “Be thankful in all circumstances.” Thankful words come easily in the moments when we get what we want. It is a little more challenging in the difficult moments to respond with gratitude.

Being thankful in all situations is a step of faith. It is choosing to believe, in spite of the circumstances we’re facing, that God is wise, loving and has a good plan for us. When I make an attitude adjustment and choose to say “thank you” in the difficult moments, it moves my focus from one of complaining, at least in my heart, to anticipation of what God will do and how the circumstances will fit into God’s bigger plan.

“And we know that all thing work together for good to those who love God and are called for his purpose.” Romans 8:28

by Mike Woodard
used by permission

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I’m Thankful For

Thoughts_About_God — Mon, 26 May 2025 07:06:39 +0000

“Oh LORD God Almighty! Where is there anyone as mighty as you, Lord.” Psalm 89:8

I am extremely grateful for our God’s magnificent creation. I never cease to be amazed at the thousands of varieties of birds, flowers, trees, leaves, rocks and plants. I love gazing at different mountain ranges such as the Rocky Mountains in Western Canada in all their grandeur or the mountains of California and Arizona with their varying shadows. I love quiet streams; gushing waterfalls; rivers; lakes; and oceans. I am continually amazed at the way God controls the oceans and how he allows the tides to come inland just so far and then it has to retreat again.

We read in Isaiah 42: 12
“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, And marked off the heavens by the span, And calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, And weighed the mountains in a balance And the hills in a pair of scales.”

When I consider that all the water in the world can fit in God’s hand, I know he is a BIG God.

My job keeps me in front of a computer for most of the day and my husband, Marvin, has made a wonderful garden for me just outside my office window. I get to enjoy rhododendrons, hydrangea, azaleas, and many other flowers while I am working. He has also placed the bird feeder within my view.

One morning, last winter, after a heavy snowfall, I filled up the bird feeder and the birds were so happy. They proceeded to put on a real show for me – flitting from one branch to another and then back to the feeder.

Many different birds visit us and although I love them all humming birds have always made me stop what I am doing to watch them. They are amazing:

They fly forward, backward, shift sideways, stop in midair.
They can beat their wings 60 to 200 times per second.
They lap nectar with their tongues (some say that their tongue is like a straw).
They can fly up to 60 miles an hour.
They live 5 -6 years in the wild.
They are the smallest bird in the world.
They consume, on average, half their weight in sugar each day.
Some of them migrate 600 miles to a warmer climate.

When I see these little birds with their magnificent iridescent colors, I am reminded of how wonderful and majestic and amazing our God is. And because He has created so many wonders for us to enjoy here on earth, I know they are but a taste of what He has in store for us in heaven. For this I am so thankful.

Father, I am so thankful for the wonders of your creation. Thank you that you didn’t create the world in black and white or without sounds and smells. I love you God, because you are so great and so kind. Amen.

by Katherine Kehler
used by permission

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More than Gratitude

Thoughts_About_God — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 09:01:09 +0000

Becky had often heard the little saying, “have an attitude of gratitude“, and for the most part she did. She could count her blessings and generally found a thankful spirit.

But this – there was no thankfulness in this! Her “attitude of gratitude” could find nothing for which to be thankful for. If she were not careful her heart could slip into despair and yes, even bitterness.

She didn’t feel like reading her Bible but she picked it up and flipped through it. Her eyes fell on a familiar verse she had highlighted with:

“In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”.
1 Thessalonians 6:18

It seemed to hit her with new clarity. It said “in everything” not “for everything“. She pondered the thought. If she could not be thankful for this particular circumstance, what did it mean to be thankful in it?

When we ask sincere questions as we grow in our faith, with hearts hungry to understand God’s ways, the Holy Spirit shows us the answer.

Thoughts tumbled in her mind that she could be thankful for God’s faithfulness to her. As she recalled times past when life seemed out of control, she recalled God’s steadying hand on her and how His strength had carried her in difficult times.
(Matthew 11:28)

She could be thankful that God promised to work things out for good, yes; she had seen His hand bring good out of the most troubling things. (Romans 8:28)

With fresh realization her heart grew a bit lighter as she saw what God meant – be thankful in her circumstance because she knew the God who was bigger than any problem and He would be faithful to help her, His child.

Prayer & reflection:

Father God, I truly am thankful for my blessings. But it is quite another thing to be thankful in the hard times and with the unanswered questions of life. Thank you for understanding it is not easy for me. Thank you for showing me that when I can’t be thankful for the hard stuff, You remind me to just be thankful in the hard stuff – for it is in the hard stuff where Your character of faithfulness will be proven over and over to me. Thank you for the confidence that You will see me through. Help me to lean hard on Your strength, and wisdom and care. Thank you that You will build a track record in my life through Your faithfulness. You enable me to be thankful in hard times because You are my God and You can be trusted with my life – even in the hard stuff! In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

by Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

When You Can’t Pray – Give Thanks

Devotionals — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 08:01:10 +0000

I once heard of a little boy who refused to say his evening prayers one night; not out of defiance, but simply because he couldn’t think of anything he wanted.

He didn’t see much point in praying when there wasn’t anything to ask for.
When his mother heard his dilemma, she suggested he give thanks for all the things he had instead.

So the little boy got on his knees and thanked the Lord for everything he could think of – from his favorite toy to the fact he wasn’t blind like the boy down the street.
His evening prayers were longer that night, because he was thankful for more than he wanted.

We often have the opposite dilemma.

We find it hard to pray; not because we don’t have anything to ask for, but because we’re too disheartened to pray.

Our prayers seem to hit a stone ceiling; our prayers go unanswered for years; or we simply don’t receive the peace we used to enjoy in times of prayer.

But maybe we can’t pray, because we’ve forgotten to be thankful.

Like this little boy, what if we took some time and turned our prayers into words of only thanks?

When you pray today, don’t ask for one single thing.
JUST give thanks.

While you drive to work, list one thing after another you’re grateful for.
And thank the Lord ONLY.

When you have a few quiet moments, think of things you know are gifts.
And ONLY thank the Lord.

When you can’t pray . . . give thanks.
Your prayers might be longer than usual, because you find yourself thankful for more than you want.

“With thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” ~ Philippians 4:6-7

By Bethany Hayes
Used by Permission

Pray, Watch and Give Thanks

Thoughts_About_God — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 09:01:24 +0000

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2

Writing from a prison cell to the Colossian church, Paul focuses not on his own plight but on theirs. He wants the best for them and gives them scripturally based advice.

Paul focuses on three words that should sum up the Christian’s everyday life. They are “pray, watch and thankful.”

Writing to the Thessalonian church, he tells them to “pray without ceasing.” Prayer was a continual part of Paul’s everyday life, no matter what situation he was in. Our own devotion to prayer should be no less. Paul’s guidel|ine, repeated in more than one of his letters was to worry about nothing and pray about everything.

God is concerned with our prayer life and our interaction with the world. Heaven’s gate is not to be stormed by one weapon but by many. Pray, pray, pray……

Paul is also practical and knows the evil one is roving the world waiting to devour. Hence, while we pray, we should be on watch against the danger of worldliness that lurks around every corner of our life journey.

I remember walking around the ramparts of the watchtower of a medieval European city where those on guard were always on the lookout for a sneaking enemy. We should do no less and should always be on watch for the enemy.

Lastly, Paul tells us to be thankful…… thankful in all things.

That’s not always easy as we traverse the difficulties of everyday life. We live in a world of stress, strain and uncertainty, but no matter how difficult the path of life becomes, we can pray about everything, worry about nothing and be thankful in every situation.

That was Paul’s formula for life and it should be ours too.

by John Grant
Used by Permission

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Give Thanks in ALL Circumstances?

Thoughts_About_God — Thu, 18 May 2017 08:01:05 +0000

“Give thanks in all circumstances.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Carol’s parents were divorced and she never knew her father. The hurt festered in her heart.

As a teacher she enjoyed a particular gifted boy in her class. One day Mark said, “I won’t be in school tomorrow. I have to go to my grandmother’s. My parents are getting a divorce,” he started to cry.

Carol touched his arm. “Mark, I know how much this hurts you. My parents were divorced and I never even knew my father. You have had yours with you for 11 years, and I’m sure he loves you and will keep in touch with you. This doesn’t mean you won’t have a happy life. God has a purpose for you and even though this has happened with your parents, you can someday have a happy marriage, just as I now have.”

Suddenly, Carol realized she was thankful she could use her experience to comfort Mark. As she bowed her head and thanked God for the blessing He could bring from this unhappy dimension of her childhood, the resentment and pain she had carried for years began to dissolve and relinquish their hold. Tears of joy ran down her face. God truly redeems our lives.

Thank you, Father God, that You redeem our lives from the pit and crown us with love and compassion. (Psalm 103:4) Amen.

Action Step: Start a conversation with someone today who is in a difficult experience. Share your story of how God has worked in your life.

by Dr. Muriel Larson

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