Andrae Crouch penned the words to the beautiful song, “My Tribute”
How can I say thanks for the things you have done for me?
Things so undeserved yet you give to prove 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 for the things He has done!
How DO we express our thanks to Him? God is the One Who gave us life, the One who gives us the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink; all the basics we need for life. We receive these necessities, plus things that are by no means necessities; just gifts from our Maker because He loves us so much. If His grace was our ONLY blessing, that would be enough, yet He lavishly piles on more!
How DO we say thanks? Truly, nothing we do can match the gift, can it? And yet, we must try. How can we say thanks? Jesus repeatedly told Peter, “If you love me, feed my sheep!” (John 21:17) How can we feed His sheep? By serving them. How can we serve them? Maybe it’s with a simple gesture like taking someone a plate of cookies. Perhaps it’s by mowing someone’s lawn. Maybe it’s by writing a thank you note. Maybe it’s more than that! There are numerous nonprofit organizations in this area that would love to have help; they know many “sheep” who need to be fed and they know what they need!
It’s a wonderful gesture to write a thank you note or verbally say, “thank you” to another, but if we really want to show our gratitude to God, we need to put our hands and feet in action as we’re able. What can we do for someone else today? Who do we know who is ill, has a problem, has a need, or is just sad? How can we say “thanks” to God? By loving and serving others!
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35
Susan Easttom, Director of Children’s Ministries
