Every second of lour life is a wonderful gift of God. But do we ever feel the necessity of thanking Him for all His gifts? Thanksgiving is the most pleasing attitude towards God and man. A prayer of gratitude is the fitting offering that we can offer our Beloved Creator. It is the blossoming of love from the bottom of heart.
Grateful praises of the Psalmist
The Psalmist in his immense love cries out, “What shall I render to the Lord for all his bounty to me?” (Ps. 116: 12) This is the natural cry of a heart that loves much. It longs for an opportunity where it can deny itself to express its love for the beloved. A grateful heart if the most fitting altar for offering any sacrifice. Gratitude needs to be at the root of our initiative for any prayer or sacrifice to God. The Psalmist concludes that this gratitude is itself the incense that delights the Lord, “I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord.” (Ps. 116: 17)
Stains of selfishness
It is sad that our selfishness adulterates and stains our sacrifices. This attitude of selfishness pulls us back from being grateful. Selfishness becomes again and again the driving force in our life that makes us forget to thank. It is the same case in our attitude with our fellowmen also. We must remember that God always looks at our heart. “Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”(1 Sam. 16: 7)
Thanksgiving pleases God and men
The Holy Bible repeats in so many places that thanksgiving is the most pleasing to God. Gratitude makes all happy. It can make us positive in all our approaches.
Jesus, a grateful personality
Jesus as a person was always grateful and expected others to be grateful. In the Gospel of Luke we read about Jesus being filled with the jo of the Spirit and thanking God (Luke 10:21). We read about Jesus being sad when the nine lepers did not come back to thank. Jesus said, “Were not ten healed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this alien?” (Luke 17: 17-18)
Let us offer flowers of gratitude to God and men. Let us be grateful when we are alive. Gratitude can really change our life into a happy one. It pleases God. It pleases others. And when others reciprocate expressing thanks to us, we accept it humbly and enjoy the experience of being wanted and loved!
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