Wednesday, February 11, 2009

The Thanks Tank



There's been a lot said of the marriage love tank being full, and whether or not an individual's love tank is full. For those who may not know the love tank measures just how full of love you feel and receive from others. This may include love from family, spouse, friends, God, co-workers, teachers, etc. This is a great topic and one we could go deeply into, but I'm going to put that aside for now.

Back around Thanksgiving I wrote a bit about thankfulness and I just want to address that subject again. It's something we all tend to run short on from time to time. Just as we have a love tank we also have a thanks tank. Only this tank measures what goes out and not what we receive from others. This tank wells up from the attitude of the heart.

How is your thanks tank doing? Is it empty? Is it full? Is it somewhere in between?

There are so many things for which I am thankful to God for. I am alive today. I have good health, I am saved by the grace of God. I am filled with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. God loves me. Jesus loves me. All my prayers have been and are being answered. My church family loves me and receives me. My wife loves me and she is faithful. She's my hero!! I am thankful for being able to read the Bible any time I want in several different translations. I am thankful for the spiritual gifts God has given me. I am thankful for God using my gifts. I am thankful for toilet paper. Not every country has it. I am thankful that I live in the United States according to the providence of God. I am thankful that I am not in any financial debt. I am able to pay my bills. My name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life. All my sins are washed away. There are angels all around me. Nothing can separate me from the love of God. God's peace permeates my entire being. My life is in His hands. I am in my right mind (though some would argue). I have relatives whom I know I will see again in heaven. People laugh at my jokes. God has plans to prosper me and not to harm me. Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world! I am redeemed. I have clothes to wear. I have a family that loves me. I get along wonderfully with my In-Laws. God has protected me in many dangerous situations. He sings songs of deliverance all around me. His promises are true. He Has Never Failed Me!!! I am in love with my Heavenly Father. He knows my name. I am not forgotten. I will never be abandoned. I am thankful that He doesn't treat me as my sins so rightly deserve. Thanks for mercy Lord! God gives me things I don't deserve. Thanks for grace Lord!

These are just some of the many, many things I am thankful for. Being thankful helps us to love and appreciate those around us, especially God.

Make a list of some things you are thankful for. Fill up that thanks tank and pour it out.