Maybe it depends on what was done for me. I think of how I would like others to thank me. I would just like them to say a simple thanks and be nice and warm towards me. I’d feel a bit awkward if they bought me presents or started looking on me as their hero or guru or whatever.
But maybe if they saved my life, I’d want to hug them and never let go, although perhaps they wouldn’t want that. I dunno 😀.
Spiritually, something very big was done for me. I’ve been saved from spending eternity in hell and now I’ll spend eternity in heaven – all because Jesus died for my sins on the cross. So, I thank him by worshipping him and committing my life to him. This means learning from him and trying to obey him. I say trying, because I won’t obey him perfectly, which is why I needed a Saviour in the first place. But like Peter, who denied him three times, when I fail or fall, I can get back up again. He’s not a hard taskmaster:
Matt 11:28-30
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
There is so much in Scripture and in hymns that can help us express our gratitude. It’s at the very core of our Christian life and church life:
Eph 5:18-20
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Here are three hymns about thanksgiving, a 17th Century one, a 20th Century one, and a 21st Century one:
1 Now thank we all our God
with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done,
in whom his world rejoices;
who from our mothers' arms
has blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.
Give thanks with a grateful heart,
give thanks to the Holy One;
give thanks, because he’s given
Jesus Christ, his Son.
All my words fall short
I got nothing new
How could I express
All my gratitude?
I could sing these songs
As I often do
But every song must end
And You never do
Hibernia Gospel 