5 Days From Growing Grateful by Mary KassianShembull

Grateful for Good Things from Above

“Surprise!” hollered the group of people hiding in my kitchen. I was surprised! My birthday had passed, and I thought the celebrations were over. My granddaughters giggled with excitement as they gave me a tour of their bubblegum-pink, princess-themed decorations, and cake. I could tell from the care given to detail and the quality of the spread on the table that my two daughters-in-law had played a major role in putting the party together.

After the guests left, I gave my daughters-in-law big hugs and thanked them. “That’s who you should thank,” quipped Jacqueline, pointing to my husband, who was sitting on the counter grinning like the cat who’d just swallowed the canary. “He instigated it all!”

Of course, I thanked him too.

Today’s scripture tells us that every generous act and every perfect gift comes from God. Even when we receive good things from other people, God is ultimately the instigator behind the gifts. The apostle Paul understood this. He didn’t just thank his friends for their friendship; he thanked God for them (Philippians 1:3). He didn’t just thank Titus for his concern; he thanked God for stirring up this feeling in Titus’s heart (2 Corinthians 8:16). He didn’t just thank the Corinthians for their generosity; he thanked God for granting them the capacity and desire to give (2 Corinthians 9:11).

Paul thanked his friends. But he recognized that God had a part in their kindness and generosity. So, he thanked God too.

MEDITATION

When people do nice things for you or give you a gift, do you thank God too? If you understood that God was the mastermind behind all these kindnesses, how would that impact your view of Him?

GROW GRATEFUL

Express thanks to someone today. And don’t forget to thank God for that person too.