How Can I Say Thanks?

You've probably heard the song called "My Tribute." The words go something like this, but please forgive the errors as this is from memory:

"How can I say thanks, for all the things You have done for me.
Things so undeserved, but You gave to show your love for me.
The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude.
All that I am and ever hope to be, I owe it all to Thee.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!"

You've probably heard this song sung in many different ways, by many different people, in many different settings--as I have, but I think I will never forget the way I heard this song sung last Sunday at church.

An elderly gentleman wheeled himself up to the microphone in front, took hold of that mike and began to sing the words to this song from the very deepest places in his heart. There he sat, in a wheelchair--I believe his wife was not able to make it to church that morning because she was not feeling well, and he probably had multiple health issues himself if you were to ask him, but he sang...with every part of his being, he sang, and gave his thanks to God for all that He had done in his life.

I had to sit there and wonder what he had been through, what trials he had endured and continued to face as the years were taking their toll on him and probably his wife. I had to wonder what losses he had faced, what heartaches God had healed and what his remaining days on this earth would be like. And yet, I did not fear for this man, because I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt where his hope was...in Jesus Christ his Lord.

"To God be the Glory, for the things He has done," he sang.

He sang with all his might, with all his heart, with all his soul. Some may say it was not the most eloquent, not the most professional, not the most melodic performance, but I doubt there was anyone there that could say it was not the most inspiring and the most heartfelt version of this song they had ever heard.

On this Thanksgiving Day, I want to remember that God does not require our best clothes, our best behavior or even the best meal we may have ever cooked. What God desires is our heartfelt thanks for all the things He has done in our lives. God desires our appreciation for His goodness.

As I heard a minister this morning talk about Jesus healing the ten lepers in Luke 17, he talked about the one leper who remembered to thank Jesus:

One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came
back to Jesus, shouting, "Praise God, I'm healed!"
He fell face down on the ground at Jesus' feet,
thanking him for what he had done. This man was
a Samaritan.
Jesus asked, "Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the
other nine? Does only this foreigner return to give
glory to God?" And Jesus said to the man, "Stand
up and go. Your faith has made you well."
Luke 17:15-19

This man gave thanks! He remembered to turn around and come back to where his blessing had come from and to give thanks to the One who made it possible. He was healed, and Jesus had made him whole.

It no longer mattered what he had been through, or what he may be facing in future days---on this day, he thanked Jesus for what he had done in his life. All else paled in comparison to his joy on this day!

Can we live each and every day like that? Can we give thanks for the joy contained in the day we are living and let go of the past hurts, not fearing what tomorrow may hold? I know of only one way to do this, through the Word of God.

I opened the Word today to find the strength I need, to be filled with the joy I am seeking, and to remember all that God has done in my life. I remember those that have come before me, those written about in the Word of God and those in my own life, who have set the example to follow and have given thanks in all things. Yes, there have been losses and hurts in all our lives, but there have also been great gains. Not one of us would be where we are today without the places we have been.

Would the leper have known Jesus if he had not had leprosy? Would he have sought Jesus out to be healed? Would he have known the power and the love of God's only Son if he had not experienced trials and difficulties in his life? Not many of us would, because when life is good, we are "busy." But when life takes a turn, we suddenly search for help wherever we can find it.

The leper searched for help in the right place, in the only place where total healing was possible, and he gave thanks! I doubt there was a day in the rest of his life when he did not think of Jesus and all that He had done to transform his life. He was never the same again!

I doubt there is a day in the life of this elderly gentleman, sitting in a wheelchair now, when he doesn't remember all that Jesus has done for him. As the days draw closer when he will meet his Savior face to face, I doubt that he takes much for granted. He has seen too much, been through too many days of joy and heartache to not yearn for the healing hand of Jesus and remember all the times he has felt that healing touch.

This Thanksgiving Day, I too will remember those times, that healing touch, and I want to be one who remembers to come back to Jesus and say "Thank You, for all that You have done in my life!" I hope you will too!

I pray many hearts will be filled with gratitude today because of the hope that Jesus left us with for each day we live upon this earth, and for the joy in knowing that eternity awaits those who believe.

Have a joyous Thanksgiving!