“Who among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him.” (vv. 9-11)

Are you genuinely thankful?

There’s an easy way to tell:

If your gratitude only covers the things you knew you wanted—if you are only grateful so long as what you’ve got is what you craved—you may be missing the point. We aren’t urged to gratitude only when the getting is good. It’s a question worth asking, then, if you only ever offer thanksgiving for the stuff God gave off your wish list.

Genuine thanksgiving is gratitude for what He had given, period. It’s the gratitude that harmonizes two fundamental truths: your undeservedness and the Father’s wisdom. Everything you’ve got is gift, pure and simple. And we have to presume that what He’s given is given wisely—for He knows our needs, our wants, and our ability to manage it (or not).

Maybe you asked for more money, but He only gave you enough.

Maybe you wanted nicer things in cozier places, but you’ve been given real life, not reality TV.

Maybe you wanted sweet kids and harmonious relationships, but you’ve been given ministries all around the table.

Will you yet be thankful? Will you trust that He knows what to give—to you, for His glory?

Because that’s genuine gratitude.

— Tyler