At this time when our nation pauses to give thanks, I think it’s worth reflecting on why thankfulness matters.

First, thankfulness is an acknowledgement that much of what we have didn’t originate with us. Only God is uncreated. The rest of us received a great deal from our parents who raised us, our teachers who taught us, our friends who loved us, our community, country, and everyone else who has ever impacted us in ways big and small. That means two things: 1) Because we are indebted to others we should be humble; and 2) Our gratitude is always directed at others, not objects.

Proud people are those who forget their indebtedness to others. Humble people readily acknowledge it. Some people want to be thankful, but don’t know to whom. Who should they direct their thankfulness to when it comes to life, beauty, joy, hope, pleasure, etc. Even if you had wonderful parents, the can’t take credit for all that.

So not only does an attitude of thankfulness lead to humility, but it also directs us outward, toward God and others. Thankfulness also leads to joy because we realize that so much of what we have been given, we don’t deserve. It’s pure blessing. And if you allow me to get a little mystical, acknowledging blessing in the world makes it a place of wonder and hope, more than a place of mere give and take.

Lastly, an attitude of thankfulness helps us realize that just as we have been blessed by so much we didn’t cause or earn, we then have the opportunity to bless others. We can give freely because we have freely received. This applies both to intangibles like love and forgiveness, as well as material things like food, clothing, and money. We didn’t make it in life entirely on our own, so we shouldn’t expect others to do the same. Give where you can. Help where you can. And you just may be the reason someone else gives thanks!