Lessons from the Heart
A sincere 'Thank You' is always in order

I remember as a child how wonderful it was to receive gifts. I could hardly wait to get the paper and ribbon torn off so that I could get to the important part - the gift inside the box! If it was something I really wanted, I would jump up and down, squealing with joy and excitement, saying "thank you, thank you". On the other hand, if it was not something I cared

about, I barely could utter the words "thank you", let alone have any true meaning behind the words.

I also remember that no matter how I felt about the gift or the giver, my mother was adamant that an appropriate "THANK YOU" be given. It either involved sending a card to the giver, or giving a hug and kiss, if the giver was present. After all, my mother would say, it is simple manners to express your gratitude. Be polite, my mother would say, by acknowledging the time and effort the giver put into getting you a present.

A sincere expression of gratitude involves action. It calls for doing something besides mere talk. A friend says "thank you" with a handshake or a hug. A baby says it with a gurgle and a coo. The boss says it with a raise. A child says it with a squeal and a shout. A flower says it with beauty.

But how do you say "Thank You" to the Lord who made you, redeemed you, and gives you abundant blessings now, followed by eternal life?

Ultimately, our thanksgiving shows itself in the way we live. We give thanks with our gifts of love to the Lord and to others. We bring to God our hearts and demonstrate our love as we faithfully worship Him, follow Him and His leading in His Word, and care for others in true compassion, even as God in Christ cared for us. When we live our lives as God calls us to, we give thanks regularly, and we mean it. When we live our lives as God's children, we are telling God how much we appreciate all of His bountiful blessings.

Don't let your "Thank You" just be words! Let it be from your heart as you give God the credit for all you are and have.

Pray for our nation to seek God

And the dead man sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother. Luke 7:15 Pd. Adv.