With blessings comes abundant opportunity thankfulness

Last spring I had a pleasant surprise. My daughter, Mary, was teaching in Chevak and had the responsibility of leading the cultural exchange program for students from the Chevak school. I was pleased when she asked, “Dad, will you take the group ice fishing?”

So, I got to lead the Chevak Middle School students and some students from Begich Middle School on a fishing trip to a local lake with my daughter along. I believe there were 11 students who spent that crisp March day seeking to land a fish. Some of the students actually caught fish, though not all of them.

Now, I expected that this outdoor winter fishing opportunity was not a new experience for these native Alaskan youth. But Mary’s students, and the student from Begich, really seemed excited and really seemed to enjoy their time fishing. They concentrated on the task at hand and rejoiced with one another when the fish were caught.

My surprise came at the end of the day when one of the students came up to me and said, “Mr. Rockey, thank you for taking us fishing.” I’m not sure why, but I didn’t expect these heartfelt words. About two weeks later, I also received a thank you card in the mail signed by all the students from Chevak. Perhaps my daughter arranged the card, but the words from the mouth of that middle school boy came from his heart.

I have been focusing on thankfulness for the last few weeks, on making sure to have a grateful heart in response to the love of God. In worship, we have been listing blessings. Personally, I have spent a little more time on my “gratitude journal” during my morning devotions. But it is one thing to have a grateful heart, and it is another to show that thankfulness.

In Psalm 118:1, we are told, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Hopefully, we don’t just realize the undeserved, enduring love of God, who has given us life and saved us from our sin. Hopefully, like the young man from Chevak, we also show heartfelt gratitude to God in our words and in our actions.

As I write this devotion I know that I often miss saying “thank you” to God and to his people. There are so many blessings in our lives, in my life, that even if I say thank you for some of the love and help I receive, I often still miss other opportunities to express thanks. Please forgive me if I have neglected to say thanks to you.

Every day God blesses us with life, with care, with forgiveness and with his promises. Every day God’s people bless each of us as their gratitude spills over in lives of faith. Thank you, Lord, because you are good and your love endures forever. Thank you, children of God, for your partnership in the Gospel that blesses my life, and the work of God’s church.

Jonathan Rockey is pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer. Contact him at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.

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