Thankful In Action
Thankful In Action
By Autumn Finklea
It’s Thankful Thursday, a weekly pause to reflect on what gratitude really means in our lives.
We all know how to say thank you. We thank the cashier who rings up our order, the coworker who helps us finish a project, and we thank God before meals for daily provision. These are beautiful habits—but if we’re not careful, thankfulness can become transactional. We notice what we’ve received, anticipate what we’ll receive next, and stop there.
But gratitude is meant to go deeper.
- We thank God for the promotion—yet do we steward the overflow wisely?
- We thank Him for mercy and grace—yet do we change the circumstances that cause us to stumble?
- We thank Him for love—yet do we harden our hearts toward our neighbors?
True thankfulness is more than words. It’s a posture expressed in action.
Life isn’t perfect, and none of us live this out flawlessly. But Thankful Thursday is a chance to pause, take inventory, and ask: Is my gratitude showing up in the way I live?
Prayer:
Lord, help us dig beneath the surface. Teach us Your Word, Your character, and Your sacrifice. Let our thanks stir a hunger to be thankful in our actions. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture for Reflection:
“Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.” — Psalm 103:2 NLT
Reflection Prompt for Readers:
Part 1 – Make Your Gratitude List
Take a few quiet minutes to write down 5–10 things you’re thankful for today. They can be simple (like a warm cup of coffee) or significant (like a breakthrough at work or a relationship restored).
Part 2 – Turn Gratitude into Action
Look back over your list. Choose one item and ask yourself: How can I express this gratitude in a tangible way?
- If you’re thankful for a friend, send them a note or call them.
- If you’re thankful for God’s provision, consider how you might steward it well.
- If you’re thankful for mercy, think about how you can extend grace to someone else.
Personal Note
I stay grounded by compiling a gratitude list every day and sharing it with a friend. This rhythm keeps me accountable and reminds me that thankfulness isn’t just a feeling—it’s a discipline. Writing it down helps me see God’s goodness more clearly, and sharing it invites community into the process.
Gratitude grows deeper when it moves from words to deeds.
This reflection is adapted from my book, From My Heart to Yours. If this spoke to you, you’ll love diving deeper into the full journey of encouragement and faith-filled storytelling.
