Ryan's Ramblings

Hi Friends,

For Thanksgiving, I wanted to reach back into the pages of Nudgings and share a chapter from the book titled “I’m Thankful.”

I hope it speaks to your heart today.

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I’m Thankful

Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God.
—Psalm 50:14, NLT

The other day at work, I passed a colleague in the hall who greeted me with, “How are you?” I replied, “I’m thankful.” He stopped, smiled, and asked, “What are you thankful about?”

I thought for a moment and said, “Oh wow—lots of things. I’m thankful for the gift of today, my health, this job, my family, my students, God’s love in my life… and I’m thankful for you and the chance to work with you.”

He paused thoughtfully and said, “Hmmm… there is a lot to be thankful for.” Then we both went about our day.

When I responded with, “I’m thankful,” I meant it. I wasn’t trying to be clever or different—I was simply being real. For a long time, my default answer to “How are you?” was “good,” but eventually I realized I couldn’t honestly say “good” every time. Life isn’t always good. We all have bad days (and sometimes bad years). Life brings moments that hurt, disappoint, and even break us.

But here’s the truth that steadies me: “good” isn’t the defining factor in my life—Jesus is. And because He is good, I can be thankful.

It’s been said that the Apostle Paul wrote about giving thanks and being thankful at least forty-six times in his New Testament letters. It’s crazy, but the guy who tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thess. 5:18) and “give thanks always… and for everything” (Eph. 5:20) is the same guy whose story is filled with persecution, imprisonment, physical suffering, opposition, hostility, shipwrecks, peril, betrayal, and abandonment.

How can he be thankful, let alone implore us to be thankful?

It’s because thankfulness to God isn’t a feeling; it’s a choice. Asaph, the author of Psalm 50, even equates thankfulness with sacrifice—giving up something valuable for something even more important or worthy. A life of gratitude doesn’t come naturally or easily; it requires practice. It’s a discipline. Even the simple habit of praying before meals can be a powerful reminder: each time we eat, we pause to remember God’s presence and express gratitude for His care.

Ultimately, the thankfulness that Asaph describes, that Paul commands, and that I mentioned to my colleague, is rooted in Jesus. Jesus is God. He is the author of life, the giver of hope, and the source of every good thing. He is the Creator of the universe, the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords. His very nature is one of compassion, mercy, love, and grace.

Even while we were all dead in our ingratitude, rebellion, and sin, Jesus took on flesh and blood and came to earth to save us. He died upon the cross, paid the price for the forgiveness of our sins, and rose from the grave. He is our help today and our hope for eternity. Jesus is “good,” and a friend who is always with us—even when life stinks. In Him is found joy, peace, hope, and abundant life.

So, if you ask me, “How are you?” I am going to say, “thankful,” because of Jesus.

In Him, “…there is a lot to be thankful for.”

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Before you go, please know: I thank God for you. I’m grateful we get to journey with Jesus together.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Warmly,
Ryan