Before Christmas, I took my granddaughter shopping for her Christmas gift. She had her heart set on a pair of boots. So off we went on a delightful outing, trying on every pair of boots we saw. At last we made a selection and headed to the register. After the bill was paid, she proudly carried the large shopping bag. We were no more than a few feet from the check out, when she threw her arms around me in pure joy, “Oh thank you Grammy, thank you sooo much!”

I’ve thought about that moment many times since. All that for one pair of boots! And I’ve thought about all the blessings that my Lord Jesus has given me and gives me today. Surely far more than one pair of boots. It embarrasses me to think about how modest my thanks are compared to this sweet girl. Maybe a quick thank you in bedtime prayers. Maybe a table grace said routinely and quickly, lest the soup get cold! Even in my best moments of gratitude, I’m afraid I fail to put together both joy and thanksgiving.

The Psalmist tells us in Psalm 95:1-3, “O Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.”

Do I love my granddaughter? Of course. But that very human love pales before the overwhelming love of our Lord Jesus. He deserves our devoted, joyful thanksgiving. For He loves me, He loves you, unconditionally.

Judy