“Like a receipt, our gratitude is evidence of the transaction of grace from God.” Joshua Choonmin Kang

Gratitude Is Solid Evidence of the Transaction of Grace from God

Posted on by Michele Morin

With eyes sparkling, my grandson came to the door, cookie in hand, and grinned through the window. He waved at me with his free hand and then pointed to the cookie.

“Thanks, Bam!” he shouted and with a leap, he was off the deck and on to more important business, but the moment stopped me in my tracks, because his smiling-eyed joy was contagious, and the gift of gratitude he flashed through streaked window glass stayed with me like a benediction.

Joshua Choonmin Kang has put words around that day and extended them to probe my own practice of thanksgiving:

Gratitude is an expression of appreciation, an articulation of what we have received.  Like a receipt, our gratitude is evidence of the transaction of grace from God.”

Holding the receipt of my grandson’s gratitude in my hand, I wonder… could it be that what we all need in November 2023 is a new lexicon for our language of gratitude?

Could it be that what we all need in November 2023 is a new lexicon for our language of gratitude?

My grandson’s simple “Thanks, Bam” opens my heart to the need for a more spontaneous expression of gratitude to God. My imagination challenges me to find words to treasure the small things, for the ordinary miracles of cold drinking water and a chair in the sunshine.  I want to slow down for prayer and to stake out moments for pondering the latitude of suffering and the longitude of glory that crisscross through my every day. 

A spirituality that is founded in gratitude is anchored securely by roots that have been sent deep into God’s love and will result in a life that reflects God’s “image with ever-increasing glory.”  Let’s get started…

What are you grateful for today?

Holding You in the Light,

Michele Morin

“Gratitude is an expression of appreciation, an articulation of what we have received.  Like a receipt, our #gratitude is evidence of the transaction of grace from God.” ~Joshua Choonmin Kang @ivpress

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Published by Michele Morin

Michele Morin is a Bible teacher, writer, reader, and gardener committed to the truth that women can become confident Christ-followers and students of God's Word. She has been married to an unreasonably patient husband for thirty-plus years, and together they have four married sons and a growing fleet of adorable grandchildren. Michele loves hot tea and well-crafted sentences, poems that stop her in her tracks, and days at the ocean with the whole family. She laments biblical illiteracy and advocates for the prudent use of “little minutes.” She blogs at Living Our Days, and you can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

17 thoughts on “Gratitude Is Solid Evidence of the Transaction of Grace from God”

  1. Your grands as well as your firsts were raised to be grateful. This vital instruction used to be a standard but seems to be a lost art, like writing in cursive, in this new age of all things ME!

    I am grateful for you and whoever led me to your writings years ago. You are a life raft in a tumultuous sea.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. It’s amazing how an expression of gratitude can immediately uplift our day and outlook. God doesn’t “need” our thanks, but we need to give it. We need to acknowledge that all we have is a gift, and He is the gracious giver, worthy of thanks and adoration.

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  3. Aw, what a sweet image that conjures up! I sometimes think those hastily yelled “thanks” mean so much because they are often unexpected.

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  4. When I hear the words, “Thank you,” I feel appreciated and loved. I just want to thank you for the lift you give me when I read your blog. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Peace and blessings as well.

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  5. Spontaneous gratitude is heartfelt, and it always moves me to tears. May I offer my thanks to God, and others, in the moment. May I just say, I am grateful for you, Michele. The words you write are encouraging, pointing us to Christ, consistently and faithfully. May you and your family have a most blessed Thanksgiving!

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  8. I LOVE the exuberance of young boys. And what a sweet expression of gratitude he gifted you. Thank you for the reminder that God loves when we’re grateful even when it’s quick. He always looks at the heart, right? I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, friend.

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