“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭107‬:‭1‬ ‭CSB‬‬

This refrain is repeated often in the Bible. It’s a lovely, and easy to remember verse of praise for God. And it’s also interesting that, with this verse, I am thanking God not for something He gave me or anything specific He did for me, but I am thanking Him for His very character. It’s like saying, “Thanks for being you!”

Wouldn’t it be nice if we all could say that to each other and really mean it? Thanks for being you!

Thanks for being a Filipino- American tennis player who is great at organizing and laughs so easily.

Thanks for being a retired chemist from Chicago who wears the cutest brightly-colored outfits and has the most welcoming spirit.

Thanks for being an emergency room nurse during your long career and being so adept at caring for your friends, all with an easy-going sense of humor.

Maybe it’s easy to thank my friends for being themselves. It is important to thank those I disagree with for being themselves as well. Maybe even more important. There is always something to appreciate!

Thank you for being a kind-hearted, energetic, and welcoming fitness enthusiast from Reno.

Thank you for being a birdwatcher who appreciates the beauty and variety of nature no matter where you are.

Thank you for being a dedicated mother to your children and a source of helpful information for the neighborhood.

Thank you for being a quiet neighbor who always seems ready with a pleasant smile and a wave.

Dear God,

Thank you so much for your goodness and your eternal, faithful love! And thank you for the enormous variety of people in my life. Remind me to be thankful for who they are and not just what they do for me. And when appropriate, give me the courage and the right words to express my gratitude in a way that builds them up.