What if It’s Wonderful?Sýnishorn

Connection Through Celebration

What a treasure we have in the invitation to celebrate with our heavenly Father through thanksgiving. The practice of thanksgiving reminds us that God is not only present in our pain but also present at the party. God is near, and His touch is tender as He walks with us over the uneven plains of longing and uncertainty and across the perilous terrain of heartbreak and sorrow. But when we reach ground that is soft underfoot—seasons characterized by breakthrough and good news—He does not let go. Our God is not only available to us in our struggle but also longs to join us in our joy.

It’s likely that if you glanced around at your life for a moment, you could tell me about several people, moments of glee and delight, and blessings that have brought you joy. Maybe your gratitude for these gifts has led you to express thanksgiving. But if like me you are prone to settle for feeling grateful, aren’t you just a little bit curious about what you might be missing out on in your relationship with Jesus by not expressing your joy with Him?

Certainly gratitude includes noticing, appreciating, and celebrating the goodness we see in our lives. But expression of that appreciation and active generosity are also essential to deepening our joy and connection with others, and with God. Also, actually speaking our thankfulness in our everyday conversations with God, ourselves, and others makes an important difference in our ability to experience gratitude’s full effects.

Gratitude improves our sense of well-being. Thanksgiving broadens our vision to see more possibilities. What a difference it would make if, when confronted with obstacles, you and I were more inclined to consider what is possible instead of being encumbered by the problem. What would it be like to dream about the future and actually feel excited about all the ways God could move rather than choosing to practice disappointment and rehearse disaster?

Imagine the view we would see of others through the lens of thankfulness! How would it change our relationships if we appreciated what others add to our lives, instead of being frustrated and resentful about what they lack? How might we move from judgment to joy if we focused on others’ good qualities? And what might you and I be missing in our relationship with Jesus if we stop short at feeling grateful instead of being thankful? If thanksgiving is an avenue we’ve been given to celebrate with our heavenly Father—the God who holds us in both our pain and our joy—how can we not lift our hands in praise?

Don’t wait. Write your thanksgiving stories down. And tell those tales with gratitude again and again. And when you are on the receiving end of these tales of thanksgiving, save them. Savor them. Use these stories as a cue to remember the truth, to notice what is right and good, and to build a foundation of connection with God and with people. Through one story of thanksgiving at a time, we are creating a culture of celebration.

Respond

What is the difference between feeling grateful and expressing gratitude to God?

How does celebrating and expressing gratitude deepen your connection with God and others who share that moment with you?

How might expressing gratitude today impact your anticipation of the future? Write down a thanksgiving story, and share it with God and the people connected to the experience.