Thanksgiving in Song (Colossians 3:23)

Our family recently attended a surprise retirement party for the founder and teacher of a dance class for children with special needs. My son has been attending the class for about a year and he has blossomed under her tutelage. At the party, all of the teens and young adults with special needs stood in line, taking turns to thank their teacher. One young man had great difficulty speaking, because of his stuttering. As he struggled to complete a sentence, someone from the audience, shouted, “Take your time! You’re doing great!” He was determined to thank his teacher. After struggling with a few more words, he looked up from his microphone and gazed in the direction of his teacher and sang several musical notes. There were no words, just notes, but sung with a sweetness and bell-like clarity. The room was silent for the few seconds after he sang, then erupted into loud applause. The teacher lept to her feet and hugged him, proclaiming, “His voice is so beautiful. Thank you for that gift!”

For this young man, his beautiful singing voice was his gift and tribute to his teacher. What he could not express in words, he offered by a thanksgiving in song. It was a lovely reminder of how gratitude comes in many guises.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.
Colossians 3:23 (ESV)

When we thank God, we should honor Him by using all of the skills and talents that He has blessed and bestowed upon us. God has blessed each of us with a skill or talent. For some, the written word or delivering a speech is their calling. But for others, it may be a gift of hospitality such as baking. It may be working on an assembly line in a factory. It may be studying and being a conscientious student in school. Whatever the situation, we thank God by doing our very best with the skills and talents He has given us.

God blesses with talents and we return the blessing by using it to honor and praise Him.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.