“To bless someone means to offer happiness or praise to them.”

A thought by John Ortberg (2014-04-22) from his book, Soul Keeping: Caring For the Most Important Part of You (p. 175). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

Oh how our kids need that. Oh how our mate needs that. Oh how our parents need that. Oh how our friends need that. Oh how our God wants that.

I like how John puts it. He says, “When you say ‘Blessed are you, O Lord,’ you are not only expressing gratitude, but you are saying, ‘I want to make you happy and praise you, God, with my gratitude for what you have done.’ It’s a subtle reminder that gratitude is good for both the person expressing it and the one receiving it.”

John also says, “Gratitude does not always come naturally. You will not always feel grateful. But you can take the time each day to remember the benefits you received, see your benefactor, and thank him for his benefits. As Thornton Wilder put it, ‘We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.’”

Remember, there is a kickback with gratitude. As John says, it is “good for both the person expressing it and the one receiving it.”

What person do you need to express gratitude to and to bless?

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