Paul wrote to a church that knew all about hard days. His letter ends with quick, short instructions, and this one is right in the middle: give thanks in all circumstances.
Notice the little word in. God does not ask us to thank him for everything. He asks us to thank him in everything. That is different. Hard things stay hard. A friend moving away is still sad. But even on a sad day, God is still giving good gifts, and we can still find them.
Mateo found one. It was only soup. But he said thank you out loud, and the whole table felt it. Thanking God does not need to be big. It can be three things you notice today: a warm bowl, a sunny walk, someone who waits for you.
Try it tonight before you sleep. Thank God for three real things.
🙌Thank You, God!
Thank You, God, for Warm Soup
God loves to hear a small thank-you from a small voice.
October 19, 20262 min readNIV
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
— 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
Final instructions
Today's Story
✍️Fictitious Story
Mateo climbed into his chair at the family table. One shoelace had come loose again and lay on the floor. Faith set a bowl of soup in front of him and said, "It is hot. Blow on it first."
Mateo held the bowl with both hands. The heat of it spread all the way up to his wrists. He blew on the soup and watched the steam curl. Then he said, out loud, "Thank you, God, for warm soup."
Bethany looked up from her bowl. Carlos set down his spoon. For a moment the table was only the sound of spoons.
"That was a good thing to say," Carlos said.
Mateo's face went warm and happy. He picked up his spoon and ate, and the soup was as good as his thank-you.
Reflection
Think About It
• What is one small thing today you could thank God for? • Does it feel easy or hard to say thank you?
Prayer
God, some days feel heavy and hard. I do not always feel like saying thank you. Sometimes I am sad, yet the soup is still warm. Help me see one small gift today. Then I will say thank you out loud. You are good, and I will trust you. Amen.
Live It Out
Tonight at bedtime, say thank you to God for three things. Tell him out loud, like Mateo did.