Give thanks

I was given a compliment by a friend/co-worker today and instead of saying thank you I downplayed it.  This sweet person reminded me that it is okay to be complimented--I just need to say thank you--nothing more.   Responding to a compliment by saying thank you acknowledges your appreciation; gratitude.   I'm not sure why but I've never been very good at taking compliments or praises (or saying thank you to the compliment). 

I realized that along with not taking compliments well I'm also not very good at giving them--thanking someone for their compliment or thanking them for their help, etc.  While I do sincerely appreciate people and am grateful for their help I neglect to tell them.  We are called to encourage one another, to love one another--part of this is complimenting/thanking someone.

God reminded me that I also was not very good at thanking Him. Ouch!  I Thessalonians 5:18 says 'give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.'  There are so many things to give thanks for all day long.  My goal is to give thanks throughout my day for all that I encounter.  Thank Him for the rain to water the ground--so that I don't have to.  Thank Him for sitting in traffic on 290 because it is backed up due to an accident--I could have been the one in the accident.  Thank Him for my tired body--I have a friend who is battling cancer.  No matter what my circumstance, there is always a reason to praise God.  He desires to hear our grateful heart.

After what Christ did for me on calvary and continues to do in me, how could I neglect thanking Him?  My desire and goal is to go throughout my days continually praising God and giving Him thanks in all circumstances.

Give thanks today!