Thank You

I have a minor addiction to rubber stamps and I recently placed an order for new treasures.  The lady I ordered from sent me a Thank You note to let me know she appreciates my business.  It's a nice gesture.  It makes me feel great, and she is awesome about not writing on the inside of the card so that I can use the card to send to somebody else!  BONUS!

I like sending thank you notes.  When somebody spoils me, even if it's in some small way, I want them to know that my heart has been made so very happy by their generosity.  I'm learning to say thank you to my husband more consistently.  We have a freezer in the garage where we tend to pile "stuff." One day I asked him to clear it off.  I knew I would be needing to get some meat from that freezer and I didn't want to have to find a  place for all the stuff (that I identify as his…) that was on top.  The day passed and the next morning arrived and he was headed to work when I realized he had not cleared the freezer off the night before.  I whined a bit and figured I'd just have to suck it up and clear it myself.  When I went out to the garage, my sweet hubby had cleared it before heading off to work!! I quickly snapped a photo of the cleared freezer and then sent it to him with a note about how surprised and grateful I was. I believe expressed gratitude is one of those little things that encourages the giver, and reminds the receiver that we really do need each other.

Not to long ago, our church went through the book of Romans in a Sunday morning sermon series. I spent quite a bit of my time studying Romans on my own in my quiet time, and it was so rich. Romans 11:35 says, "And who has ever given to God, that he should be repaid?"  It struck me that I could never give so much to God that he would need to respond with a thank you note.  Psalms 18:3 says, "I called to the Lord who is worthy of praise…."  Hebrews 3:3 says, "For Jesus is considered worthy of more glory than Moses, just as the builder has more honor than the house." Revelation 4:11 says, "Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because you have created all things and by your will they exist and were created."  Revelation 5:12 states, "They said with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb [Jesus] who was slaughtered to receive power and riches and  wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!"

The Bible, and especially the New Testament, is filled with verses that talk about believers living in such a manner as to be worthy of God's investment in their lives, worthy of the sacrifice Jesus paid. "Whoever doesn't take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:38) "Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to live worthy of the calling you have received," (Ephesians 4:1) "so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God." (Colossians 1:10)  When you read stories of people encountering Jesus, they often say things like "I'm not worthy to have you come under my roof." (Luke 7:6)  John the Baptist described himself as "…not worthy to untie the strap of [Jesus'] sandals…" (Luke 3:16) There is a wide discrepancy between who God is and who I am; between what God can do and what I can do; between God's holiness and my sinfulness.

There have been moments in my life when I have felt God speak the words "Thank you" to my heart.  God didn't have to say those words.  I didn't do something that He couldn't have accomplished anyway.  I didn't give Him something that He needed.  God spoke those words to me because He loves me.  He longs for me to know how much He values me, appreciates who I am, longs for me to serve Him more consistently and with greater commitment.  God speaking "Thank you" to my heart builds wonder and a heart of gratitude within me, that God Almighty, the Creator, the Holy One, my Savior, Redeemer, Provider, Father and Friend, appreciates the small gift I offer. 

As I dwell upon that thought, I realize that I am so very indebted to Him, that I should never cease to be declaring "Thank you!"  Christ not only did what must be done so that I could experience salvation, He is constantly encouraging me and strengthening me to live a life where I find fulfillment, security, satisfaction and freedom.  Jesus' grace to me is not a one time event, but a daily gifting of knowing I am wanted and accepted; I belong. He chooses me. He lavishes His love on me.  He provides for my physical needs, my emotional needs, my longings and my desires.  He invests in me, teaching me, molding me, making me new.  He's forming me to be someone so much better than I could ever have imagined.  I can not out-give God.  He owes me nothing, and yet, He continues to bless me every  morning, every afternoon, and every evening. 

My life should be a Thank you note to the one who is beyond worthy, who is so very very holy.  Nothing less.