A Fishbowl of Thanks

"For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened." Rom. 1:20-21

 "Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy." Ps. 107:21-22

They say there are 5 love languages: physical touch, quality time, gifts, acts of service, and words of affirmation. I think there's probably a 6th, and it's called "Chick-fil-A." Anyways, all of the love languages are nice, but words are my personal favorite. In one way, that probably makes perfect sense, since I'm a writer and all. In another way, it might be kinda funny since I love sarcasm so much. The people I connect with the best are the ones who laugh when I make fun of them, and who feel free to give it right back to me. Maybe that's twisted, but it is what it is. What untwists it is this - I also love it when those same people are fishbowl enough to express love, encouragement, and sometimes even correction with authentic and purposeful vulnerability. I like to think that the relationships I value are worth that kind of articulated expression.

Maybe that's why Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It's the one that reminds us to use words.

Since I'm created in God's image, I think He probably loves words of affirmation, too. Not that He needs them, really, but He knows that it's good for us to say them. And I'm willing to bet that He especially likes it when those words come from the heart. Maybe we need a fishbowl centerpiece on the Thanksgiving table. That whole cornucopia thing is so 17th century, anyway.

What I'm saying is that we should be specific in our thanks. Not that there's anything wrong with saying, 

"I'm thankful for my family."

"I'm thankful for my friends."

"I'm thankful for my job."

"I'm thankful for my health."

It's just that those words are common, and who God is and what He has done is undeniably UNcommon. I think He deserves more. I think we should think more. I think we should reveal more.

It's easy to tell God and people that we love them or that we're thankful for them. It's less easy to explain why. It's easy to identify the physical things that make our lives comfortable and happy. It's less easy to identify the eternal things that give our lives purpose and joy. But nothing that is easy can be called "sacrifice" or "offering." 

So be thankful, yes. But be thankful with a fishbowl-like authenticity. God is the Author of all good things, and He is worth uncommon words.