Many parents have seen small children fold their arms or even cry when they’re offered a gift they don’t like. We might see this behavior when a toddler receives a practical gift instead of a toy showcased on a TV commercial. Perhaps a school-age girl frowns when she receives hand-me-downs instead of an outfit, she saw on an influencer’s Instagram account.

When this happens, mothers and fathers often intervene by asking their children an age-old question accompanied by a familiar voice inflection and a stern glance: “What do you say?” These four words serve as a desperate prompting to produce grateful children who habitually respond to others’ kindness with thank-you’s.

When we were young children, we may have felt pressured into a lifestyle of thanksgiving. But as we matured, hopefully gratitude became our preferred response to others who willingly offered us genuine love, gracious service, or thoughtful gifts.

When we were young children, we may have felt pressured into a lifestyle of thanksgiving. But as we matured, hopefully gratitude became our preferred response to others who willingly offered us genuine love, gracious service, or thoughtful gifts. Since God is the ultimate gift-giver, He truly deserves our thanks.”

Since God is the ultimate gift-giver, He truly deserves our thanks. He showers us with numerous blessings. In Psalm 65, David elaborates. As we study this passage together, consider pondering all God has done for you. When you think about how far you’ve come as result of His grace and mercy, what do you say?