I Thank God For You

ByJim Stephens

Scripture: Philippians 1 (Click Link)

2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. 3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. 4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy. (Philippians 1:2-4 NLT)

I’d like you to join me in an exercise in Thankfulness and Love for the next few mornings. Three times in his letters, the Apostle Paul uses the expression, “Every time I think of you…” He writes it here to the people in the church of Philippi, he writes it to the people in the church in Thessalonica, and he writes it to his dear son in the faith, Timothy. Let’s take a few minutes to think and be thankful!

I often take a few quiet moments to think about people who have been a blessing to me through the years. I think about people from the ages and seasons of my life. I think about people in the USA, Jamaica, the UK, and Africa where we’ve had the privilege to serve and to form friendships.

Jean and I recently watched “A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood”, a movie about the children’s television presenter, Mister Rogers. In one scene, Fred Rogers is seated at a small table in a restaurant with a deeply troubled young man. Mister Rogers says, “Lloyd, I want you to do something with me. Close your eyes and sit quietly for one minute. Think of the people who have helped you in your life.” After a brief pause, he goes on to say, “They will come to you!”

Will you do that with me, right now? Close your eyes. Sit quietly. Now begin to think of the people who have helped you in your life. Think of people you love and miss. Think of people who have invested in you. They will come to you. As they come to mind, linger a moment over a memory with them. Thank God for them!

When I first began this practice, I found that my thoughts moved from age to age and season to season of my life. I also found that a minute isn’t enough, so I’ve begun to do this as an occasional practice. It would be great if you’d add this to your own “Thankfulness” practices. Will you do it?

Prayer:

Father, Thanks for each person whose face is in my mind and heart.  Please bring them to me as you will for a fond memory, a burst of thankfulness, and a prayer of blessing.  I thank you joyfully and achingly for friends and family.  My treasures!  Amen.