Do you like to do what you want when you want?

I believe, here in the US, we call that our right, correct?

It is through my freedoms provided by my country, I am enabled to do what I want when I want to do it.

Most of us do that within reason, though,don’t we? I mean, if I am running late and I come to a red light I do stop at it even though I want to keep going.

We wait in lines (mostly patient) at stores or amusement parks even though we want to be the first in line.

We teach our children that dessert comes after dinner even though they want it NOW.

Those, and other examples aside, we still want what we want and when we want it.

These days, the word we use to describe that “feeling” is instant gratification.

Other words or phrases that can be applicable to this desire are entitled or privileged.

If we are being honest, this pull to have what we want has also corrupted our faith..we want the benefit of grace without accepting the accountability to God for extending it to us.

We want the gift without the occasion or thank you note.

My son just graduated from high and chose to have an Open House. My husband told him that other than a wedding, this is the primo time in life where people are incredibly generous with their gift giving whether they know you well or not.

The occasion is his high graduation celebration and entering into the phase of his life (US Navy bound🤗).

His “job” is now to say thank you for the generosity displayed toward him.

Let’s be real, NO ONE likes to write thank you notes, but they are a necessary “evil” aren’t they?

We MUST tell the gift-giver thank you for the gift.

We simply must.

If we don’t?

People notice.

Worse than that?

They remember.

I believe a lack of gratitude comes full circle…think of that person who did not say thank you~ I am going to imagine that was not the first time in their life they did not express thanks. I would go so far to assume they felt entitled to what was given to them so -in their mind- why be grateful?

That attitude catches up to folks. It turns into bitterness in them, NOT the gift giver. The Giver tends to keep on giving, but the ungrateful person becomes unable to appreciate what is been given.

That turns a heart cold.

The gift of God’s grace is no different.

The occasion of grace is twofold:

1) The mere fact that God CHOSE to create us in HIS image
2) Jesus came to ensure our welcome into the family of God

We didn’t do anything for this gift…the occasion is because GOD WANTED TO.

Isn’t that reason enough to be thankful?

Yet it has become too easy to take His grace for granted.

Saying you are thankful and showing your thankfulness are NOT the same thing.

For my son, his Open House thank you note will be sufficient…but that heartfelt hug he gives in gratitude and love will secure the meaning in his words.

With God, our words of thankfulness in prayer are heard…but HE sees our heart to know how much those words really mean.

God sees beyond the thank you note.

In the book of Isaiah, God gives a warning to His prophet. In Chapter 1 verse 15, Isaiah writes:

Even though you offer many prayers, I will not be listening.

AMP

Why would God say that?? His Word tells us:

Your hands are full of blood.

AMP

God goes on to say through Isaiah these words of instruction:

Wash your hands.

Get your evil deeds out of my sight.

Stop doing evil.

Learn to do good.

Seek justice.

Rebuke the ruthless.

Defend the fatherless.

Plead for the widow.

AMP vs 16-17

God sees the heart of His people who pray. He knows sincerity when He hears it.

And our gratitude for His grace will be evident in how we live our lives.