Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.
Psalm 50:14-15 NLT
Learning to Offer a Sacrifice of Thankfulness
My breath fogs up the mirror. I swipe another coat of mascara on my lashes.
“Thank you that my skin isn’t broken out today.”
I step back to examine my attempt at dreamy eyes.
“Thank you that my hair doesn’t look strange, even with all the humidity.”
“Thank you for my dear friends. This heart of mine is full with their love for me. Thank you for sending them my way. I need each of them and you knew that.”
He heard my year-old prayers to send me real friends.
I check my phone for the time.
“Thank you for sound sleep last night with no bad dreams. And the opportunity to serve you today.”
“Oh and that new opportunity that you’ve brought out of the blue, that was amazing. I’m blown away by your provision. Thank you, Lord.”
I acknowledge the small that can break my day or make my attitude.
I like a good “if, then” statement and this one from Psalm 50 is a keeper: “Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. Then, call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.“
My goal is simple. To give God glory. But sometimes I make it more complicated that it needs to be. I love when He reveals to me how to do the desire of my heart. The one He planted there long ago.
Not blood or sweat or try-hard sacrifice, but thankfulness. That’s all Jesus wants from me.
(That can be hard to swallow. Take a moment a try to believe that. Do you really? Or does the good-girl list creep in? Surely, that’s not all the God of the Universe needs. He’ll need more. Well, He doesn’t.)
A thankful heart for the big, and most definitely the very small, is rescuing me from the ordinary life. And could rescue me from trouble in the future.
Let’s give Him glory, girls.
Will you share your sacrifice of thankfulness to God?
(I’d love to read one thing from you today.)
Summer Rae says
Miss Stephanie,
This was like I was reading my own thoughts through someone else’s words… It is always comforting to know that someone else knows what it’s like to change something as “trivial” as how we handle seeing the state of our face in the morning, to thanking God. Today I realized that (having deleted all social media besides my blog) instead of waking up and checking my “notifications” FIRST. THING. I now wake up to a devotional e-mail from my brother, a dictionary.com “word of the day,” and asking the LORD how I can best serve Him today… not asking myself how many “likes” I can get… It’s amazing how a few minutes, a small prayer of thankfulness for the gift of today uttered in the morning can change your heart and relationship with your Heavenly Father in a marvelous way. Thank you so much for sharing this encouragement today; I pray your day is blessed.
This side of heaven,
Summer Rae
Lynne says
I am thankful for God’s faithfulness. This last year has been full of uncertainty and change. My family and I are now at a point where we can look back and see how God has provided. My husband and I both have new jobs, a new home in a new town and a wonderful new church family. Our marriage and family has grown stronger in spite of all the challenges we’ve faced. Thank you God, that YOUR plan is far greater than I could have ever imagined.
Debbie says
Thank you for the reminder that we all have something to be thankful for. I had slipped away from that. But I sit here so very thankful that I can sit here in the peace and quiet and enjoy a good cuppa coffee while I thank Him for everything He gives me every day. Thank you again for the reminder to thank Him, especially for the “small” things I take for granted every day.
Kathleen says
I have been writing in a journal all the things I am thankful for. When time get hard or I feel anxious, overwhelmed, alone, I go back through my journal and focus on my blessings. As the new school year begins, I am going to do as you have done and start out my day as I go through my morning routine to be thankful. I work in a very toxic environment and need to have the right mindset before I reach the doors of the school. Please pray for me as I begin another year of teaching. My administration is very difficult and I would even say evil. The more reason for me to have my mind and attitude in gratitude mode. Thanks for sharing and God Bless.
Sharlene says
Thank you Kathleen for being in such a difficult job, especially now. We need more strong teachers like you who go to work everyday knowing the responsibilities that it entails while battling what is going on in schools today. I will be praying for you.
MK says
I’ll be praying for Kathleen too. I am a retired teacher and know your concerns.
Yolanda says
I will be praying for you throughout this upcoming school years. I am always thankful for good teachers though my children are now grown.
Temetreon R Roberts says
Stephanie,
Thank you for the reminder to always be grateful in the big and the small things. I have so much to be thankful for. I really like “….thankful heart for the big, and most definitely the very small, is rescuing me from the ordinary life. And could rescue me from trouble in the future”.
Today I begin by thanking God for my life. My health and strength. My family, new job position and the grace to excel in it.
I even thank Him for showing me this email just before falling back to sleep.
Blessings to you!
Michele Morin says
I’ve never noticed the if-then proposition of this psalm. Adding it to my arsenal of encouraging words for gratitude.
Lynette says
I am thankful to God for the creativity and inspiration of all the people who were involved in the process of creating computers and the internet. I am always amazed that when I hit the Post Comment button so many people all over the world will be able to read this! Our God is an awesome God!
Lynette
Lazondral Nelson says
I am so thankful for being filled with His spirit and good health. God has been extremely good to me especially when I didn’t deserve it. Thank you Lord for choosing and using me! I get to serve the King of kings! Blessed beyond words! Thank you for this post!
Kerri says
I am thankful for neighbors to come to your aid when parenting gets very rough.
Tania says
I have been trying to thank God every morning right before I get up and moving as well. I look out the window I can see from bed and thank him for the day, my children and my husband. I love that you keep this going while getting ready. Thank you for that. I am going to try and incorporate that as well.
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Stephanie,
Thank you for your post! Thank you God for my husband who has nursed me through a very complicated surgery and continues to have patience as the healing process is long. I thank you that I have been given this second chance at happiness with him in my middle age years. Thank you for restoring the years that the locusts have eaten. Thank you for ALWAYS being true and faithful to your promises. I thank you in advance for the answers to my petitions I currently bring before you. Thank you for your new mercies that greet me as I inhale breath for yet another day….
Blessings,
Bev xx
Christine says
Thank you so much for this devotional. I have never read that Psalm in that way and it will be highlighted now to remember it. Every morning, before my feet touch the floor, I pray, “Thank you, Lord, for giving me another day.” We have seen loss and health concerns within our family and extended family that bring back an appreciation and gratitude for the basic in life–another day here to serve Him. I am not perfect in my thankfulness and your devotional is circling me back to where I need to be. Thank you.
Today, I am thankful for the gift of memories and the legacy of love that we can feel even though loved ones have graduated to Glory. I am also so thankful for a slower time during the summer so we can focus on life with our children–to hear their laughter and really hear it, not let it be background noise to the daily grind of life. I’m so thankful not have school schedules with homework and projects right now so we can make memories together and build up moments as a family.
Have a beautiful and blessed day, Stephanie!❤️️
AJ says
Thankful for the precious gift of Life. Another beautiful blessing from above, another new daughter and my loving husband
Nora says
Thank you for this! A great reminder! I am thankful for my two little girls…we laughed all evening yesterday! I am thankful for laughter! Lazy Saturdays just soaking in the blessings! God is faithful and He is good.
Melissa Henderson says
Thank you for our new grandson, born on July 24th. He arrived 3 weeks early and is perfectly healthy. What a blessing!
Selma Cobb Dean says
As I began to practice thankfulness this morning, my thoughts are being shifted, and I feel more hopeful for a peaceful day. This is a stark contrast to how I was feeling one hour ago. Thank you.
Beth Williams says
Stephanie,
When I get down or depressed I make a list of all the things I’m grateful for. It can be small like pens, paper or big like having a home in Heaven. It helps me realize what I have & not worry about what I don’t. I thank God for my wonderful hubby. He worked hard (12 hr. shifts) for 1.3 years while I stayed home & cared for my aging father. I thank Him for my church family that has been there for me. I’m grateful for everything He has given me-this great life a new part time job, etc. God is good ALL the time!
Blessings 🙂
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
I’m thankful for YOU, Beth and your encouraging spirit!!
Blessings,
Bev xo
Beth Williams says
Thanks Bev.
I’m thankful for you also. So glad life is getting better for you. May God continue to bless you and your family.
Lcora says
Thank you God for loving me in spite of my sinful nature . Thank you for your faithfulness and guidance we can always count on . I could not even imagine my life without you . Thank you for this wonderful post as a reminder to be grateful and thankful each and every day –
Deb says
“Instead of waking up asking for things, nervous about the day, trying to control my circumstances with rapid gunfire prayers towards heaven, I turn my heart toward grateful.”
Wow! I think this statement sums it all up. Even in prayer, we tend to try to take control… When we relinquish that control to God, then we find ourselves in a posture of trust – right where He wants us to be. In trusting, we can then truly be thankful for ALL things. (Ephesians 5:20) Thanking God for the seemingly good things is needful, and honestly, a lot easier than thanking Him for the uncomfortable and downright ugly…but therein lies the “sacrifice” of thanksgiving, the trust that no matter what comes our way, we KNOW that Jesus is still on the throne, and that all things work together for good.
Thank you for your encouraging… and challenging words today!
BA says
I am thankful for precious, praying friends. What a blessing!
Elizabeth says
I am thankful that God gave me the energy to rise early to try a new church.
Heather says
I’m thankful the Lord has opened a door for me to be a full-time teacher for the first time, and grateful to have meaningful work just a couple of weeks away!
Kathleen says
Heather, I have been teaching for over seventeen years. I will add you to my prayer list and promise to pray for you each day. Teaching is difficult but what a blessing when you see your students learning and growing. I pray you will have a good mentor in your school who will take you under their wings and help you through the first year of teaching. Get lots of rest and try your best to stay on a schedule at school and in your personal life. Blessings to you. Pray for me as I go back in two weeks and my work situation is very challenging.
Kathleen
Heather says
Thank you, Kathleen! I will pray for you as well, that the Lord will sustain you in your work, and that your light will shine in the darkness you face.
Blessings!
Michelle says
I am SO THANKFUL for these God-orchestrated words this morning…. I needed each and every one of them… It’s been a season. He knows where I’m at. He knew I needed to hear these Truths from you, Stephanie…
Thankful for God’s Perfect Timing and His gentle way of nudging me back into His Arms when I’ve lost my way…
It’s time to quiet the lies and overpower them with THANKFULNESS!!
Thank you for this, Stephanie… ❤️❤️
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Michelle,
Praying for the enemy to flee and to take his lies with him. Praying that they would be replaced by thankfulness AND by the Truth of God’s great and unchanging love for you!!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Beth Williams says
Michelle,
Praying for you & for God’s truth to sink into your heart & soul. May God help you get through this tough season. Praying you can have a mindset of thankfulness .
(((((Hugs)))))
Stephanie says
I’m thankful for my eyesight and my abilility to hear. Thankful to get to see all the beauty God creates everyday and thankful to hear the birds chirping or my favorite song on the radio ❤️
Jen says
I always write in my gratitude journal on Sunday mornings although I lost a few things I’m grateful for before o get out of bed . I think I should write them down more often . Today , I am grateful for God ‘s strength and to be home from the hospital , as well as a restful night in my own bed .
Thanks for the important reminder and I love your writing style !
Michelle says
Oh my goodness when I opened this in my email and saw the opening graphic about making Thankfulness my sacrifice to God I immediately smiled…I had just had a a conversation with the Lord about being thankful just minutes before 🙂
Melissa Ens says
Thank you, Lord for echoing here today that thankfulness is what You ask for and it’s what I need. (I’ve been rereading One Thousand Gifts again this week!) Thank You for how willing and patient You are to keep reminding me when I keep forgetting.
Penny says
Stephanie,
Thank-you so much for posting this…One of the things I am thankful to God for is acceptance, and the healing that’s gotten me to here.
Have a blessed day all,
Penny
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Thankful for YOU, Penny and the work God has done and continues to do in your life!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Penny says
Sweet Bev,
I can’t thank you enough, your kindness means a lot to me. I’m thankful for you too.
Be well & blessings to you…
Penny
K Ann Guinn says
Thanks for the reminder that the simple gift of thankfulness can change lives. I’ve been trying to be faithful to write at least three things I’m thankful for in my gratitude journal each day, and will consider adding more thankfulness to my morning, as you’ve suggested. It’s amazing how it changes our perspective (and of those around us, even).
Today I’m thankful for my pastor(s), church and church family, and also for worship. This morning I walked into service late and with a heavy heart, but after hearing truthful and challenging teaching, worshiping with other believers, and interacting with several people, my heart feels lighter. God’s family is awesome, and we wish to share His love with others!
Lori says
I’m thankful for the beauty of His Creation: azure skies, lush green grasses, sparkling, ice cold, mountain fed rivers, melt in your mouth sweetness of wild strawberries, majestic pines and gracefully swaying poplars and willow trees, fireweed’s vivid color, the sun’s warmth, my son’s excitement in catching fish, camping with my family in northern British Columbia, Canada, living in a country where I can freely and without fear worship and serve God, God’s faithfulness, His mercies that are new EVERY morning, my salvation and that my eternal home is secure!!!
The best days are definitely the days that begins with a grateful heart!!! Thank you for your post, Stephanie!
Ada says
Thanks for sharing…LORD I am thankful for life…Thankful for restoration which I know the LORD is doing in every area of my life…Thankful for friends and family and angels in human form who have carried me through these “times”…Thankful for God’s grace that is continually sufficient…
MK says
Oh what a blessing your blog post today and the replies. They’re like vitamins of joy for my day. Thank you God for your blessings today from beloved sisters in Christ. What a day that will be in Heaven when we meet as Sisters in Christ in heaven!!!
Yolanda says
I am thankful for all God’s continual grace and mercy in my life. I am thankful for this loving community I come to here and are uplifted.
Denise says
I am visiting friends around the US and am at the end of my journey. I just checked my bank account and found I have $200 left. I expected to have about $50 for the next 5 days but somehow God has enabled me to have more than I thought. I had checked last week and was worried that I’d have nothing while I’m staying with this last friend on my trip. Nothing has been deposited to my account and yet there is now $200. I don’t know how this happens but am so grateful to God who supplies my every need as I trust him!
Diane says
I have been so overwhelmed with concerns over the decisions my adult children are making, and those I love who are in difficult circumstances, and trials that have come in that I have forgotten the command of gratitude. I love the line in the worship song “It’s Your breath in our lungs so we pour out our praise”. It reminds me that this really is Gos breath in my lungs. I would not be taking my next one without His direction. There is so much to be thankful for and I will begin now to remember that.
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Diane,
I join you in concern over the poor decisions my adult children are making as well. It can be overwhelming. I love that worship song too…let’s join together in overcoming our concerns with thankfulness (including thankfulness for how God is working in our childrens’ lives even if we can’t see it at the moment).
Blessings,
Bev xx
Darlene Frybarger says
I thank God for bringing my husband home this weekend. He works in Dallas (8 hours away) and tries to come home every other week. I’m also thankful he has a son who works for an airline that can bring him home for free. I also thank God for is faithfulness and steadfastness even when I can’t hear Him.
Anna Brown says
Thank you for sending Stephanie to share this and encouraging us all, fixing our eyes on Him. Thank you Stephanie for doing it.
Cassandra says
Hey Stephanie…our God is definitely an “on time God”. It’s Monday, 31 July and my husband and I were talking about the faithfulness of God. Four year ago to this date, he was dismissed from his job (result of political victimization). But God! We’re thankful that the mortgage is paid, we’ve enjoyed some mini-vacations, we’ve had food and clothes, we’ve blessed others financially…but God. And even though, I’m a day late in reading your post, it’s right on time and in sync with where I am spiritually. Thank you!
Shanice says
Thank you Lord for waking me up this morning and I am in my right mind. Thank you for the roof over my head, food to eat, and a job to provide for my family. Thank you for my son’s daycare provider who is patient with my son. Thank you for blessing me with a child. Thank you for a mother who is taking me to work due to my car being wreck. Thank you for healing my body. Thank you for your grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Thank you for peace and love in my life.
Ginnie says
What a perspective changing post! I am thankful for healthy children who live energetically each day to dirty up all that nice, clean, folded laundry! 🙂