"Thanks For Giving"

We recently did some reorganizing and placed a corner desk in our bedroom. I hung a dry erase board over my desk and since the moment it was hung Caleb has used it for a form of encouragement. He leaves me a new message everyday. I love it. His messages are so Caleb and definitely from the heart. "I love you mommy." "Love my chicken." "You are awesome." "You are super, super mom." Last week he left a message that really made me think. "Mom, thanks for giving birth to me." "Thanks for giving".... that is the phrase that has kept me thinking for the last week. It was my pleasure to give birth to him. It was my honor and I am the one who is thankful daily as he brings joy and fun to my life. "Thanks for giving"... How often do we stop and use that phrase? When was the last time you said to someone, "Thanks for giving." It is rare that I cook a meal and do not hear "thank you mom." My children are very good at saying thank you. I'm not sure if it is training or a truly intrinsic heart of thanks but nevertheless they say thank you. How often to I say "thanks for giving?" We have so much to be thankful for and yet so often we walk around with the idea that we deserve the things we receive and more. Or we walk around in a cloud of complaining, which I have been very guilty of lately. Giving birth to Caleb was my honor, but until last week he had never thanked me for it. I have never expected or even desired a thank you, but when he thought to thank me, it blessed me beyond measure. How many other people in our lives do not expect or even desire a "thanks" but would be blessed beyond measure to hear it? When was the last time you thanked God for sending His only son to die for you, thanked Jesus for paying your penalty on the cross, thanked Him for His unconditional love? These are things we should thank our Heavenly Father for daily. "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love endures forever." He didn't do these things so we would thank Him. He did them because He loves us. He delights in our praise and in our thanksgiving. How about others in our lives...when was the last time you thanked your husband for being the provider of your home? When was the last time you thanked your children for bringing joy to your life? When was the last time you thanked your pastor for his spiritual leadership and biblical instruction in your life? When was the last time you thanked your postman, your sanitation workers, your waitress or your check out person at Walmart? Yes, they are all serving in the areas God has called them to, but a little thanks goes a long way. Joshua and I were walking through his school the other day and I heard him say, "Hey, Mr. D, thanks for all you do." Mr. D takes care of their school. He does a great job and I have a feeling he does it with little recognition. I'm not sure if Joshua did this of his own accord or if he has been encouraged to thank Mr. D, but either way Joshua was not taking for-granted all that Mr. D does for them. "Thanks for giving Mr. D." Pray and ask the Lord to make you a person with a thankful heart. Pray about who you need to "thanks for giving." Father, make us a thankful people. May we never live expecting from you or from others, but may be always be found giving thanks."