Giving Thanks / Acting Thanks

All week, along with most of America, I have been thinking about what I am thankful for. As I acknowledge the many blessings that God has given, it has not felt like "good enough" to just acknowledge them. It also has not felt "good enough" to simply thank God for them, and it has not seemed "good enough" to tell of the gratitude I feel for these people and things.

I am not totally sure what has caused this attitude. The Holy Spirit? The loss of people close to me this year? Simple growing up?

And even though I cannot point to the direct cause of my need to make more than a list of things I am grateful for, I know that "giving" thanks is not sufficient for me. Maybe because I am feeling that it is not sufficient for my God.

As I have spent time with Him, getting to know Him through His word, and allowing His spirit to convict, to lead, and to teach, He has caused my heart to realize that I must act in thanksgiving.

Rather than simply acknowledging my wonderful, caring husband, I need to love him and respect him. I am blessed with healthy, responsible kids. I am to care for them, to example my faith to them, to love them. I am grateful for my health. Do I take care of my body? My mind? My soul? I am thankful to have a job, especially at this time of national financial instability. I am called as a Christian to work with integrity as unto the Lord. The list goes on and on.......

How do I ACT with the many blessings that I have been blessed with?

The day will come, that I will stand before my Jesus, and will give an account of how I treated these blessings in my life. Did I love them? Was I a blessing back? Did I take it for granted? Honor God?

So he called him in and asked him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.

Luke 16:2

So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Romans 14:12

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Hebrews 4:13

But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

1 Peter 4:5

Thanksgiving for me?

...your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.

1 John 2:12

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!