I Forgot to Say Thank You

I'm preaching from Mark this week -- the story of the 10 lepers. It's a great Thanksgiving text and will tie in well to our last week with a stewardship emphasis. I was struck, as I read the passage, by how much I forget to say thank you or, in a larger understanding of thanks, how often I forget to PRACTICE thanksgiving. I drove through Zolfo Springs, FL on Monday, a small town with 2 gas stations that catch all of us driving from one place to another. The price at the pump said $1.99! I hadn't seen it below $2 in a few years now and immediately stopped to fill up the car. I did it for under $20!!!! Now, my first thoughts were on the realization that gas won't stay here for long. But my second thought immediately went to the understanding that I would have money "left over" in my budget this month. I allot $240/month for gas -- that's been the equivalent of 6 fill-ups (we have two cars). Now, suddenly on this beautiful fill-up, I realize I may in fact have half of that . . . for me! What can I do with $120 "extra" dollars?! Well, I could pay down some debt! I could buy some Christmas presents I wasn't sure I'd be able to buy. I could save it for a day when gas isn't as "cheap." But as I read the lesson for this coming Sunday, I was struck by the fact that I never once asked how I could say "thank you" to God for providing this "extra" money in my budget. I was one of the 9 running off in excitement to continue on with my life. But I fit into the early part of the story because I have not yet "spent" my extra money. I still have time to say thank you. I still have time to PRACTICE thanksgiving. I know I will tithe from that special blessing. But I'm also wondering if I should just return it to God. I wonder if I should not use the rest to give someone else an "extra" bonus.

It all goes back to the sermons of the last 6 weeks -- when we give, we always have more than enough. When we live our thanks, we become generous of heart and it changes us. I'm finding I'm being changed by these sermons. (!) I went home last week and told my husband that I want to start giving more -- not just in my church offering, but in my life. I supposed that would be practicing thanksgiving. What better way to spend a life!