I want to be a Thanking Woman, right off the bat.

To begin my prayers with: Thank You, God.

To begin my words with: Thank you, friend.

Right off the bat, I want to start Thankful.

We’re taught to say: “Thank You” at the end of a party, at the end of an email, at the end of the day. Let’s switch it up to the top of the page:

 Thanks for inviting me. Thanks for thinking of me. Thanks for loving me.

Thanking God–right off the bat so that I’m ahead of the game when I get to heaven.

Is that possible? Can we get ahead of any game with God? I’d like to try. If I die trying, it’d be a great way to die –

Thank You, God – Whoa – here I am–here YOU are–in person! Thanks for that and for You.

My youngest always thanks me for dinner. At the end, not the beginning. But I love it. I didn’t tell her to do that. She just decided to. Even if it’s curry and curry isn’t her favorite. Even if we’ve had a rough dinner–one or more of us saying one or more things–we shouldn’t have. No matter the meal, no matter the tone, I hear her voice call out as she goes up the stairs,

 Thanks for dinner.

Really. You’re thanking me. I appreciate that. I thank you for thanking me. This could go on and on.

Maybe it’s supposed to.

Thank you.

Well, thank you for thanking me.

No, thank YOU for thanking me.

(It could be worse. No thanks.)

I’ll start today:

Thank You, Lord that Tammy came for lunch and stayed all afternoon and that lunch was simple (and that she loves cilantro) and that I have enough of it leftover for dinner.

Whew. That covered a lot. We covered a lot.

Lunch: a simple meal. Thank you: a simple thing to say. May lunch remind me to be a Thanking Woman.

I want it to start with breakfast. No, before I get out of bed. I’ll especially be thankful if I get breakfast in bed. Either way, I want to be a Thanking Woman.

Ken Williams said,

Gratitude not expressed is not gratitude.

Free printable.

Paul knew how to start a letter:

I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge…I Corinthians 1:4,5 NIV
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people,  I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. Ephesians 1:15,16 NIV

He used parachute words–he covered a lot:

always thank my God for you

I have not stopped giving thanks for you

Who needs your thanks? (I stopped writing this momentarily to write two pastors a little Thankful note. Short and to the point: “Thank you for this morning…” Every pastor needs a few more Thanking Women in the audience, don’tchaknow? (Every husband, as well, but that’s another post.)

Don’t know what to say? Don’t know what to write? Start by thanking. Right off the bat.