First, I thank you for following me and supporting the work I'm doing! I am so grateful. Thank you! When I was growing up, most of the people I interacted with learned to say "thank you” when someone did something for them, gave something, or demonstrated a gesture of kindness in any way. This practice that many of us are accustomed to was and still is a way to express appreciation and gratitude. I often think about it. How often do we give God thanks? Or even say "thank you" to the person we’re talking to on the phone or standing before us at the moment? Although we shouldn’t do things for people just to get something in return or to hear them say “thank you,” when it is not said or expressed in any way it could feel as if what was done or given was overlooked or not good enough. Honestly the absence of a "thank you" may feel like being dishonored in some way. Have you ever felt that way? In the Bible, Luke 17:11-19, a situation happened where something extraordinary, actually a miracle was done for ten people and only one returned to say "thank you." Jesus healed 10 lepers, but only 1 went back and gave Him thanks. Jesus asked about the whereabouts of the other 9 people who received the gift of wholeness (verse 17). Are you one who always makes time to give Him praise for what He’s done? Are you in the majority who take things for granted and go on about the day almost forgetting about the answered prayer, the unexpected blessing, healing, special gift, etc? Let’s learn to say, “Thank you.” Let’s do it every day, from the time we wake up until the time we go to sleep. Did you know that over time gratitude can improve your mood and eventually improve your well-being? Yes, research has proven it. Many of my patients have discovered the benefit of faithfully using gratitude journals, apps and from just becoming more grateful regularly. If you don’t believe me, give it a try. Start right now. I’m sure you can think of some people who would love to hear how grateful you are about something they did or said. If not, prepare yourself for what others can and will do in the very near future. By the way, if you wake up tomorrow, God’s compassions are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). Psalm 150 gives us countless reasons and ways that we can praise the Lord. Verse 6 says “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” If you’re reading this, you’re included. Let’s say, “Thank you” more often. I promise, you will never regret being more grateful to God and to others.
