Thanks just for being you ∙

Thanks just for being you ∙

Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth! Sing about the glory of his name! Tell the world how glorious he is.- Psalms 66:1-2

Psalms 95:1-7

1 Come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him.

3 For the LORD is a great God, a great King above all gods.
4 He holds in his hands the depths of the earth and the mightiest mountains.
5 The sea belongs to him, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land, too.
6 Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the LORD our maker,
7 for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today!

The History of Paper Greeting Cards

For decades, paper greeting cards have carried heartfelt messages and sentiments, becoming a way to express emotions for every occasion. From weddings to birthdays, from illness to friendship, there’s a card for nearly every moment in life, just saying “thank you,” or “I miss you.” Among these sentiments, one simple yet profound phrase stands out above the rest: “Thanks just for being you.” This short sentence conveys a powerful truth—that someone is loved and appreciated not for what they do, but simply for who they are.

Giving Thanks to the Father

If we can tell one another, “Thanks just for being you,” how much more can we say it to the Father? The Scriptures are filled with descriptions of His character and attributes. Some focus on His divine nature, reminding us that He is holy, righteous, good, all-knowing, omnipotent, eternal, and present everywhere. Other passages portray His personality, painting a picture of a kind, thoughtful, loyal, and dependable personal God. He is a protector, a friend, wise and gentle, merciful and majestic.

Gratitude to the Father begins with thoughtful recognition of Who He is. When we reflect on His attributes and contemplate His character, we are drawn into a place of worship. We reflect upon the beautiful and delightful person that He is. We are free to talk to Him as a person. We are encouraged to praise Him and worship Him for what He is like.

Thanking Him becomes more than just words; it’s an act of praise that acknowledges His greatness and love.

The Beauty of His Goodness

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.”
(1 Chronicles 16:34)

We thank the Father for His goodness and faithfulness. His unfailing love will never come to an end, no matter what we face.

Astounded by His Creation and His Concern

“When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers…what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor.”
(Psalms 8:3-5)

Like David, we stand in awe of His creation. The night sky, with its moon and stars, is a mere fingerprint of His unparalleled power. David marveled at how effortless it was for God to place everything perfectly in the universe. David is awestruck just thinking about it. But even more wondrous is the truth that God values us above all creation.

We are a reflection of Him. He formed us uniquely in His image, granting each person significance and worth. Our identity and self-worth are grounded in the brilliance of the Creator, who breathed life into dust and made us His masterpiece.

God’s Masterpiece

The greatness of the Father is woven into His creation and reflects His own glory. Just as the works of Rembrandt, da Vinci, or Michelangelo showcase the genius of their creators, so we are living works of art crafted by God (Ephesians 2:10). He imbues each of us with a tiny bit, an inkling of Himself, a spark of His nature. We are His footprints in the timeline of history, living testaments of His greatness and love.

REFLECT & PRAY

The Father loves us simply as we are. And in return, we are invited to love Him for Who He is.

Father, thank You for being who You are. Thank You for loving us individually and personally. Thank You for creating us in Your image and allowing us to love You in return. We honor and praise You from the depths of our hearts. Help us to live as reflections of Your glory.

INSIGHT

A Spirit of Entitlement

Regrettably, in the 21st century, so much of humanity is caught up in their own self-importance. The world today is often marked by a sense of entitlement, where many live with an ungrateful attitude, boldly proclaiming, “You owe me!” This lack of appreciation has led humanity astray, with many taking the Father for granted or, even worse, ignoring Him entirely

Yet, amidst this culture of selfishness, there remains a quiet presence of kind, loving, and generous individuals. Their goodness shines brightly, especially during difficult times. How often, though, do we pause to acknowledge their thoughtfulness and thank them for it? Or do we, too, fall into the trap of focusing on life’s struggles, giving way to despair, frustration, and isolation?

Recognizing the Father’s Faithfulness

Even more importantly, how often do we go out of our way to recognize and give thanks for the kindness and love of our heavenly Father? Do we maintain hearts full of gratitude simply because of Who He is? The psalmist David calls us to worship, honor, and adore Him with all that we are

A Call to Worship

Psalm 95:1-7

“Come, let us sing to the LORD!
Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation
Let us come to him with thanksgiving
Let us sing psalms of praise to him

Come, let us worship and bow down
Let us kneel before the LORD our maker,
for he is our God
We are the people he watches over,
the flock under his care”

The Father is the unwavering Rock of our foundation. On Him, we can rest with certainty, confidence, and peace. His love and kindness toward His children are steadfast and unshakable, providing us with the strength to face any storm.

Beyond His care for us, the Father is the ultimate authority in the universe. Every decision, every final judgment, rests solely in His hands. He is far above the fleeting idols and false gods fashioned by human imagination. He alone is the one true, living God.

The Awe of His Greatness

Psalm 66:3-5
“Say to God, ‘How awesome are your deeds!
Your enemies cringe before your mighty power
Everything on earth will worship you.
They will sing your praises,
shouting your name in glorious songs.

Come and see what our God has done,
what awesome miracles he performs for people!”

The power and magnificence of the Father are unmatched. His deeds inspire awe, and His miracles reveal His boundless love and mercy for humanity. When we recognize His greatness, how can our response be anything less than worship and adoration?

Worship Through Song and Praise

One way to express our gratitude and devotion to God is through the gift of song. The lyrics of the hymn “His Name Is Wonderful” beautifully express a heart of worship:

His name is wonderful; His name is wonderful
His name is wonderful; Jesus my Lord
He is the mighty King, Master of everything
Bow down before Him, Love and adore Him
His name is wonderful; Jesus my Lord

He’s the great Shepherd, The Rock of all ages,
Almighty God is He
Bow down before Him, Love and adore Him
His name is wonderful; Jesus my Lord

Bow Down Before Him

The Lord is truly our Great Shepherd, leading and caring for us as His beloved flock He is the mighty King, the Master of all creation, and His name alone is deserving of endless praise.

Today, take time to pause and reflect on His goodness and power. Thank Him for who He is, not just for what He has done. Recognize the permanence of His love, and kneel in worship before the Rock of your salvation.

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© Dr. H 2025