Ever wondered how to say thanks when words just aren’t enough?
You’ve tried expressing your gratitude but everything you say just comes up short.
In my recent state of affairs I’ve often found myself overwhelmed by gratitude. Grateful to God, my friends, my daughter’s new principal, the little old lady at lunch, you name it.
Maybe it’s something about going through a traumatic experience (or two) that gives me an extra sensitivity for thankfulness. The little graces that are extended to me feel like a big deal. Don’t even mention the big ones.
But is there a way to say thanks that will really do my feelings justice?
In the spirit of full disclosure I should probably let you in on something. I’m a ‘doer’. And when it comes to showing appreciation that often means that I feel compelled to ‘do something’ for the person who’s been kind to me.
In spiritual terms this doesn’t always work out too well.
Think about the Cross.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 ESV
There is no way on this side of heaven that I can ever ‘do’ enough to show how appreciation for Jesus’ sacrifice.
While I don’t mean to get into a grace versus works debate I think you get where I’m coming from.
My personality just lends itself to performance-based thinking.
So you can imagine how humbling it is for me to be on the receiving end of several acts of kindness lately. Following the devastation of my home by Hurricane Irma, many friends have reached out in love. The result: an overwhelming show of support that has simply left me speechless.
How to say thanks
Sure there’re practical ways to say thanks, like sending thank you cards. Hand-written of course.
A phone call works well too.
E-cards, yes, they have their place.
But how about paying it forward?
Better still, what if we lived a life of gratitude?
When it comes to the question of how to say thanks, what better way than expressing gratitude in the everyday. That way gratitude can multiply. Wouldn’t that be amazing?
That’s why I’ve committed this month to counting my blessings and saying thank you. I’m shining the spotlight on people I’m grateful for, acts of kindness that I’ve noticed, and a hot-off the press email series all about gratitude (see details at the end of this post).
All of this is not coincidental.
I made a conscious decision to pay it forward by living grateful every day.
I know mere words cannot express how grateful I am for the many generous, kind and selfless acts I’ve been blessed by. But my hope and my prayer is that I can light a spark of gratitude in those I come in contact with.
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I’m on a gratitude streak. Will you join me?
How about you?
When faced with the question ‘how to say thanks’ how do you respond? Are you sometimes at a loss for words? Have you found other creative ways to show gratitude?
Maybe you’ve been on the receiving end of some beautiful acts of kindness and haven’t found a way to express your gratitude. If so, I hope this post inspired you.
And before you go, I’d love if you’d join my dear friend Lori Schumaker and me for our Wake Up to Gratitude email series. It’s five days of focusing our hearts on blessings while we ditch the overwhelm. As we head into the holidays I want to be on filled with gratitude, don’t you?
UPDATE: The Wake Up Gratitude series has ended but you can keep up with all the Sparkle (including finding out when we’ll run this series again) by requesting the Sparklights newsletter.
Simply click on the link banner below which will take you to the sign-up form. I’ll start by sending you a free set of my PRAY Scripture cards! From there you can opt to receive our blog post updates via email as well as access to our exclusive Sparkle Treasure Chest where even more goodies await — from printables, to sharable inspirational graphics, to screen savers and so much more.
Wishing you blessings,
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Thanks for linking up at LLM, Hope to see you next week.
Have a great day,
Connie
I absolutely LOVE the image of “waking up” gratitude! November seems to be that month that awakens my spirit to a special and unique freshness.
I know that we’re supposed to be thankful all year but there’s just something about November and Thanksgiving that reminds us to give thanks, right Crystal? Plus, by this time of the year I feel pretty spent and can really use that gratitude recharge.
Thanks for visiting today and for being such a gracious host at #FreshMarketFriday. I always enjoy my time there.
Love these reminders about how to show gratitude. This November, I #chooseathankfulheart too.
Yes, that’s what I’m talking about: a thankful heart! And you’re so right, Debbie — it is a choice.
Blessings to you!
Happy Monday, Marva! I’m so excited about this email series. I’m signed up and ready for it to begin! I can use an extra helping of gratitude as the business of the holiday season approaches. Thanks to you and Lori for making this possible. Blessings to you, my friend! Have a blessed week.
Tiffiney, I’m so grateful for your encouragement and I’m excited that you’ll be joining us. We really need it! Hahaha. 🙂
Blessings to you, dear friend.
As a doer, I can understand the need to want to reciprocate with action. Sounds like a great series, Marva. I hope to visit more.
It’s so good to see you, Kelly. Who knew there were so many doers around, huh?
Hope we can reconnect soon!
Blessings and sparkles!
Oh, Marva, I didn’t realize you had such damage from Irma. 🙁 I am sorry to hear that. We had a group from church who traveled to Wauchula, FL, to do hurricane cleanup. They had a few spots that were totally devastated, but most was more minor damage.
This is so good: “But how about paying it forward?
Better still, what if we lived a life of gratitude?”
I’m glad that area wasn’t too badly hit, Lisa. It really hurts to look around and see so much bad news with all the natural disasters we’ve been having so I love it when some have been spared.
Thanks for the encouragement today! Be blessed!
I am a doer to and try to thank people back. But I have found it can almost become funny with some people as you do one kind thing, they do a kind thing back, and then you again , and then them. And sometimes we just can’t pay someone back. So paying it forward is a great option.
Hahaha, so true Theresa. Sometimes there’s no end to it — which is a good thing too.
Thanks for joining in the conversation.
Hugs and blessings!
Every year I look forward to November because it resets my gratitude for another year. I’m thankful for this reminder to pay it forward and to be continually aware of all that I have to be thankful for!
I love November for that reason too, Michele. And I think the truth is, by this time of the year, I really do need a reset.
Good to see you here today.
Blessings!
Marva, I can’t fathom what the past several weeks have offered you. Hurricanes are no joke – and I’ve only experienced them on the mainland, not an island. How are things? Am I safe to assume “normal” is not normal yet?
I’m a bit of a “doer” and performance gal as well. (sigh) At times it becomes a bit of a crutch to lean too heavily on self and not enough on our Daddy. But He’s faithful and patient. And somewhere is a righteous mix, after all faith without works is dead, right? Good post! #heartencouragementThursday
Kristi, thanks for asking about how things are. We’ve all had to adjust to a new normal due to the very extensive destruction in my island and our neighbours. Life as we know it has changed completely and for me that means looking to the new thing God is doing.
As for the performance thing, it’s like you said, I’m so glad God is faithful AND patient with us. Goodness knows I need that!
Thanks for stopping by from #HeartEncouragementThursday