9 Ways to Remember to Give Thanks

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. Col. 4:2

Life gets busy and before you know it, those thank you cards have been sitting on the shelf for 2 months. You bought them. You had great intentions. But they are still there and you occasionally feel a twinge of guilt when you pass by them.

For me, this little scenario was happening several times a year. And while I still enjoy writing out personal thank you cards whenever I can purposely do so, I've noticed that it is a beautiful thing to give thanks, no matter the format. I've also noticed that when I make room in the front seat for "giving thanks" and keep a watchful eye on opportunities to do so, then our family experiences more joy in our lives. I'm sure you've experienced this phenomena too. Maybe one of these points on "9 ways to remember to give thanks" will prompt a purposeful thank-you to someone who needs to hear it.

1. Give thanks in person in the moment.

I know- it's obvious. But sometimes it's easier to prompt our children with "What do you say?" than it is to remember to say thanks ourselves.

2. Send a text immediately.

Get creative and make a sign or write on a chalkboard. Then, take a photo and text it to Grandma or Aunt Susie or whomever lives at a distance and needs to know in the moment that you are ever so grateful. Then you can give the sign or a photo to her the next visit.

3. Set up a phone reminder to send a thank you card.

Or add a sticky note to your work area.

4. Pray and give thanks.

When a gift arrives in the mail, at dinner, our family will often give thanks for whatever arrived that day. We thank God for the person who sent the gift as well and sometimes we tell the person we prayed for them as a result of their gift.

5. Keep thank you cards handy and write one out at the first opportunity.

When the thank you list is longer, then it takes me longer to tackle it. You too? One of the keys, for me, is to keep that list as small as possible.

6. Send an email.

When I want to write something longer than a few sentences, I've found that emailing thanks is a great way to take care of the immediacy issue AND write more than a couple sentences. If you're a fast typist, maybe this is a great option!

7. Call your phone and leave yourself a voicemail.

If remembering to do something is critical, then voicemail is a great way to remind yourself of the importance of giving thanks.

8. Send a social media message.

Many people love to see an Instagram or other social media photo of their gift or a tribute with a memo of thanks.

9. Make a good old-fashioned phone call.

While social media is wonderful, making a phone call to say thanks is a beautiful thing.

Whether the gift, service or deed was small or large, remembering to give thanks produces a joyful heart. No matter the method or means, let's encourage someone else today by remembering to give thanks for their examples and investments in our lives!

Who do you need to thank today?

Rachel at RachelWojo.com

PS: I'm thankful for my sister, Sharon. You wouldn't believe how big her heart is!