Thank You

Have you ever forgotten to say, Thank you? I have. Many times. 
Often it's because I selfishly take what the person has done for granted or what's been done seems so routine that the need for a thank you is seemingly eliminated. 
Other times, it's because I am forgetful, which seems to be more true as I have aged. For example, if I don't thank someone right away - by sending a note or making a phone call - the next time I see them, the act they performed is too far removed. Or, more commonly, I tell someone else about what was done for me and don't remember that I haven't told the actual individual personally.
Regardless of my attitude or tendency toward forgetfulness, gratitude is still important. I think all people want to be appreciated. Thank you's are valued.

In the same way, sharing our gratitude with God is also important. For God, a thank you is a form of praise. It's a way to recognize his hand in a situation or circumstance. Not because he needs it, but because we do. Our relationship may feel incomplete without it. 

Last weekend, I attended the IF:Gathering in Austin, TX. It was a huge step for me - not only to fly, which I hate, by the way - but to walk into an event with over 2,000 people by myself. I knew I would be glad I stepped out in faith. I was right.

During one of the worship sessions, we sang the song, Jesus Paid it All. When it came to the chorus, I was overwhelmed as I sang,

Oh, praise the one who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead.

Ultimately, I believe this line is speaking of my salvation. Jesus Christ paid my debt by dying on the cross and erasing all my sins - past present and future - so that I can live with him forever. However, as I sang this song that Friday night, God impressed something else upon me. It was as if he said, You never said thank you. Not for my salvation, but for pulling me out of a period of despair and doubt and pursuing me when I couldn't approach him. During a time when I felt my cries couldn't or wouldn't be heard.

At first it didn't make sense to me. This had happened years ago. Why was I thinking of this now? I was confused, but also convicted. So, I immediately sat down and wrote this prayer:

Lord, thank you for raising me when I couldn't raise myself. When I was in such despair that I couldn't cry out, thank you for staying with me. For showing up even when I pushed you away. Thank you. Thank you for never giving up. For your steadfast - firm and unwavering - love, when I was so broken, so uncertain, so weak and feeble-minded. Thank you for who you were then and who you still are today. You haven't changed, but you have changed me. Thank you.

Although I had completed my act of thanksgiving, I was still confused. Why had God asked this of me? Why was it important? Then, on the plane ride home, I found the above verses in Psalm 105.

It became clearer then. While I had written about his great and mighty works and followed his command to tell my story, I had never thanked him. I hadn't sang praises to him, only about him. Although I had proclaimed his greatness to all who were willing to listen, I hadn't given thanks to him.

I had missed a piece of the praise puzzle. It was not required by God for my salvation or for his love, but it had left a hole in me that could only be filled through thanksgiving. I needed to recognize him for what he had done in my life. I had been lacking a way to remember, for myself. I needed to mark that moment so that my faith, not just the faith of others, would be strengthened.

Remembering God is real gives us the faith for our next step. 
We mark our moments because it builds all of our faith. 

- Jennie Allen, IF:Gathering

Do you have something you need to thank God for? Or, if you have already thanked him, have you also proclaimed his greatness and made his deeds known to others? 

Mary's Song

I read the following passage from Luke this morning. I have read it, or had it read to me, several times over the past months, as part of the Christmas story. But, today, I read it as a mother. As a woman who has been pregnant and given birth under normal circumstances.

Did Mary speak these words as a pregnant, unwed teenager, with fear and devoid of hope? No, she wrote as a woman, praising her Lord for His gift. She spoke as a woman who was soon to bear a son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. This boy, her son, would be the savior of the world. Despite her less than ideal circumstances, in a culture where she could legally be put to death for her current state, she praised God!

Mary responded, 

“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. 

How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! 

For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, 

and from now on all generations will call me blessed. 

For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. 

He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. 

His mighty arm has done tremendous things! 

He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. 

He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. 

He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. 

He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. 

For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.” 

- Luke 1:46-55 (NLT)

What lesson do you take from Mary's words today?