She kneels beside her stool with her play coffee pot and cup. From across the room, my mommy eyes are watching. Ready to see what imagination will play out. 

Folding her little hands, words escape her lips, “Thank You!” And she takes a drink. 

My mommy heart melting in the chair.

Again, she folds her hands, “Thank You.” 

Amazed. Humbled. My sweet 18-month-old saying “Thank You.” The scene was not imaginative but real life. The here and now. Her daily experience played out. 

While she probably doesn’t comprehend fully she is acting. Acting on something she knows. 

Many days I feel like a flop of a mom. Many days I don’t have the energy or take the time I should to invest in my daughter. Some days I feel plain burned out. Yet on that day, God reminded. Reminded me that He is alive and present despite my weaknesses.

God is working in my daughter’s heart and touching me. I am moved, convicted. While my husband and I strive to pray and say “thank You” at meal times I struggle to say “thank You” other times. I forget to say “thank You” for an answered prayer. I am so caught in the bad stuff going on I don’t see the good and say, “thank You.” 

Daily I am faced with the natural tendency of ingratitude. Moment by moment it is easy to get lost in the piles of life. Easy to let the weight fall instead of lift it back up. Easy to sit with an ungrateful heart rather than practice gratitude. 

My daughter’s “thank Yous” are more than words, they are a stirring. A reason to move away from an ungrateful heart and into a place of gratitude. Thankfulness. 

Can you choose thankfulness today? 

 

2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ESV

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ESV

Psalm 9:1  I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. ESV

Psalm 138:2-3 I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength. NLT

1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. NKJV