Really? Thank God for dirty dishes? What kid would pray that prayer? A sign over the kitchen sink might help. Well, if the sign doesn’t help the kids, maybe it could help you. You can google “Thank God for Dirty Dishes” to find the complete poem – and plaques.
We Ate!
Dirty dishes mean we ate! “Give us this day our daily bread.” Vain repetition? How many of us have even once literally wondered where the next meal was coming from? How many meals could you make right now with what is in your fridge, freezer, and pantry? Sure, but now someone has to clean up this mess. Thank God there is a mess to be cleaned up. Thank God we are able, even if not so willing, to clean it up. We ate!
A Basic Christian Trait
The opening chapter of Romans gives a distressing view of mankind rejecting their Creator. In the midst of calling out many characteristics of the ungodly, the Holy Spirit includes “didn’t give thanks” (1:21). In another list of what worldly people are like, we read “unthankful” (2 Tim. 3:1-4). What if Eve had daily given thanks to God for all the food she could eat in the garden? What if Cain had given thanks to God for the good example his brother set for him? What if David had given thanks to God for all the women he already had?
Truly godly people are thankful people. “Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him” (Col. 3:17). After listing the kinds of speech that should not come out of a Christian’s mouth, Ephesians 5:4 says, “but rather giving of thanks.” When we worry and pray to God for help, Paul reminds us, “In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6). With thanksgiving.
Someone has suggested that the number of times we ask God for something should be the number of times we thank Him for His answer. “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God” (1 Thess. 5:18). Really? Everything? Everything. The Christian searches for the positive side even when it seems there is none. Christians are full of thanksgiving. Are we?
Give Thanks
“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart” (Ps. 9:1).
“Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving” (Ps. 50:14).
“It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord” (Ps. 92:1).
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving” (Ps. 100:4).
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good” (Ps. 106:1).
“Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57).
“We always give thanks to God for all of you” (1 Thess. 1:2).
“Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might, be to our God forever and ever!” (Rev. 7:12).
Takeaway
Do you thank God for dirty dishes?
Do you thank God as much as you petition Him?