Thank You Jesus…

I am so excited to introduce to you my friend Maria Votto. We met through Blogger Linkup. After reading her blog The Heart of Ruth, it didn’t take long to recognize similarities in our lives. Take a moment to check out her site, I’m sure you’ll just love her authenticity and transparency just as I did! With no further delay here’s Maria…

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I was taught to ask God in faith for what I wanted or needed. Pray without ceasing, making sure to seek first His kingdom. But what happens after He blesses us? Shouldn’t we say “Thank you?”

Awhile back my son had one of those freak accidents that only little boys can achieve. Somehow he’d fallen against the oil heater in our bathroom and not only did he burn his armpit, but scraped the first layer of skin off it as well. Sounds almost ridiculous now, but trust me -it became nonstop whining, crying and changing awkwardly placed dressings. Very little sleep for this busy Mama. Over eight months later, and he has gone on with his little life, never giving his “pitty” a second thought until today.

I was preparing dinner and praying (more like whining to God) about our current financial situation and my discontentment with our house. Suddenly, my son bursts through the kitchen door, arm raised high and he said, “Look Mommy, LOOK! My boo boo’s all better! God healed me! Oh, thank you God for healing my arm pitty!” and back out he ran. I’ve no idea what reminded him of that injury. All I know is his genuine thankfulness humbled me. I had been so busy loathing our house and fretting about things, that not once had I thanked God for all He’s done for us.

Luke 17:11-19 tells us about the time Jesus healed the 10 lepers. He’d taken the time to hear these men out and heal them. In their excitement at being healed, nine of them never bothered to thank Jesus for what He’d done. In fact, He specifically asked the one that came back: “Were there not ten lepers? Where are the other nine?”

I was equally guilty. Before we moved here, I had spent hours begging God to give us our own home. It only took two years for Him to answer my prayers, yet because the house was never what I had in mind, I never said thank you. Now five years later, things are falling apart all around our old house. I‘d spent my time worrying and complaining to God about what wasn’t right and had completely forgotten to thank Him for what was right.

Yes, our home is old, leaking, and drafty…but we are blessed to own a home at all, especially being as young as we are – and on one income! There are times when stuff breaks, or the children don’t like what I’ve made, but we are blessed! The fact that my son came in at just that moment of my pity party, so excited about having his prayer answered –that’s what humbled me. I realized that even though his thanks was late it was there. I had never thanked God for my home…just continually asked Him to change it and make it better. That was so wrong, and I pray for forgiveness of my ungrateful attitude.

Manners matter to God.

How easy is it for us to treat God like He’s our genie? To ask for and expect stuff…but then go about our menial lives never saying “Thank you”? The last time you were blessed with an answer to prayer did you remember thank Him? If not, why not give thanks to the Lord right now. Tell the world what He’s done for you!

Maria Votto is a devoted wife and SAHM to 4 children ages 8, 5, 4 and 2. When she is not homeschooling she loves couponing, making homemade products, and fulfilling her ministry of encouragement at her blogs The Heart of Ruth and 8 Years of Growth.