Thank You

by Chris Henderson

I am at work, sitting at my desk, completing some medical records and Maverick City Music’s song, “Thank You,” starts to play on my iPad.

“I can’t praise you enough…for if time were to stop, I could never tell it all. Words are few, this will have to do — I just wanna thank You”

What kind of joy brings one to the place where you can grasp just the slightest glimpse of the infinite? There are so many days that we march through life as if set on automatic — job, duties, family, eat, sleep — that before you know it, so many things have passed you by. This is common to so many of us that entertainment has picked this up and we’ve seen several TV shows, series, and movies based on the Groundhog Day experience — being caught in a time loop where the same day repeats, again and again. Each story centers around the frustration of not being able to move forward to the next day, the next event, the next accomplishment. The protagonist goes through the varying emotions surrounding this unwanted interruption of life.

Depending on the premise of the movie, there comes a point of surrender into the “reality” of the time loop and the lead settles in to explore the possibilities of endless opportunities provided by having an endless loop of days: learning new skills; reading new books; meeting new people; seeing new places. Eventually, even that process is exhausted, and we are brought back to the core of the protagonist’s life — to what really mattered all along. Often, it is that return to what is really important that breaks the loop and restores the timeline.

What do you value? How do you judge that your life and actions are successful? If you don’t know, I can’t place you in a time loop. I can only point you to what the Lord has said:

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21 ESV)

“but few things are needed — or indeed only one.” (Luke 10:42 NIV)

Life is all about relationships and placing the appropriate value on those relationships. I know this because I have failed at this so often, I am sure Juli has seriously considered trading me in for a really devoted dog, as they appear to be much more reliable and far less selfish. They live in the moment with joy and devotion.

When was the last time you viewed a sunset or sat quietly with the one you love and were just thankful for the opportunity of togetherness? Juli so often looks at me in exasperation as I plow forward with life but fail to recognize the moment.

Juli and I have just become grandparents. Moments become precious — miss two or three days and this new being has already grown and changed, and you can’t get those moments back. You know that same phenomenon occurs if the one you love is two months old, two years old, twenty years old, or eternal — like our Lord.

How do we stop the world; not take all this for granted? There is truly only one way — by being thankful.

It only happens when we take the moment to appreciate how blessed we are to have this moment, this opportunity to share life with those whom we love in meaningful ways. In truth, time is too short; life is too busy; love is too great to be anything else but thankful.

“For if time were to stop, I could never tell it all. Words are few, this will have to do — I just wanna thank You”

Listening Library: Thank You (Maverick City Music)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVltjpE0h9g

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103:1-5‬ ESV‬‬)‬‬‬‬

Thank You (feat. Steffany Gretzinger & Chandler Moore)

I can sing a billion songs Dance till my feet are numb Spin till I’m empty and poor Can’t praise you enough

Shout till my voice gives way Leap till I have no strength Lose my breath trying to explain Can’t praise you enough

And if time were to stall, I can never tell it all Words are few, so this will have to do

I just wanna thank You I just wanna thank You I just wanna thank You Oh I’m grateful

You sang till I found my song You danced till my heart woke up Now I move to the rhythm of love I can’t praise You enough

You wept my till I found my way You lost your breath dying to save I’ll never go back to that grace I can’t praise You enough

And if time were to stall, I can never tell it all Words are few, so this will have to do

I just wanna thank You I just wanna thank You I just wanna thank You Oh I’m grateful

Standing in the promise Surrounded by Your goodness You have overwhelmed us Hallelujah

Standing in the promise Surrounded by Your goodness You’re just getting started Hallelujah

Songwriters: Chandler Moore, Steffany Gretzinger, Dante Bowe ©Maverick City Music. All rights reserved. Used by Permission CCLI#: Pending