
The blue sun magnifies floating dust in the dark kitchen like a theatre spotlight. A plane mocks the quietness of the room, flying extra low with a sole motive of ruining the aesthetical sounds of the crackling candle and low-humming fan. Construction hammers next door, men preparing to unload the first of fifty truckloads of green leaf volatiles. Then the emails surface like electronic square worms nibbling at brain space. And automatically, the whole idea of a serene, spiritual hour disperses.
It isn’t as if we can help it the rest of our day when the teacher announces a required speech be written and presented in front of the most intimidating bunch of classmates you have, or when your boss assigns you a difficult customer support case of which you know you will be chewed out by an angry customer. But analyzing problems are not where our thoughts spin. Ann Voskamp, a brilliant Canadian author, reminds us in her devotional One Thousand Gifts, thankfulness is “the highest form of thinking” one can activate.
“This is what all the great artists and thinkers do – they stay awake to the wonder of God’s world. Great thinkers are the grateful thankers – the real greats who live thankfully…Thanks, that thing that makes you the child full of wonder, the great thinker, the kingdom of heaven belonging to those who are like the children.” – pg. 24
I remember childhood mornings were full of joy. Instead of pessimistic and critical spirit, I wore a thankful heart ready to receive the day and all that God had planned for my little freckled self. It was a bit subconscious, actually, which makes me curious it is in our wiring to thank God. It seems the most logical thing: being mere humans chosen to be created – let alone adored – by God. And, as Ann proposes, I suppose thanklessness is indeed sinful.
“The beginnings of Genesis and Romans 1 pivot on the same point. Eve’s thanklessness for all God does give her and her resentfulness of the one fruit He doesn’t give, this is the catalyst of the fall. Which Romans 1 confirms: “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” Our fall is always first a failure to give thanks.” – pg. 20
The knot in our stomach actually untangles. Our eyes tend not to squint. The creases on our forehead even themselves out. Slowly, I see the sun is not a depressing blue circle of another awful day, but a wave of orange Jell-O bubbling over the clouds – a floating ocean wave. It sends opal rays onto my skin, reflecting off my white curtains, reminding me God is alive and cares about me today. There is so much to be thankful for, where does one begin? By a humble thanks of life, of salvation, of relationship. Breathing deep and steady, who knew reframing one’s perspective holds such physical benefits?
Let us give thanks for everything, just as Paul did – chances are that our day does not include being chained to a soldier in prison when he sang praises to God. Suppose we can learn from his life that thankfulness is healthy. In our darkest hour, let us turn to thanks. Thankfulness is free, always available, and it is right in front of us.
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“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” Acts 16:25
“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Psalms 100:4
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15
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Source: Voskamp, Ann. One Thousand Gifts Devotional. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012)
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