Writer and preacher, Henry Van Dyke, once said, “Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse.”
I often hear these words – gratitude, thankfulness, thanksgiving – being used as synonyms. However, according to Van Dyke, they are not synonyms. There is a clear distinction. Gratitude is the feeling or emotion. Thankfulness is the impulse or desire. And Thanksgiving is the expression or act.
As I considered the meaning held within this quote, it occurred to me that the expression of our feelings of gratitude is not limited to words. In fact, various languages can be used in our expressions.
Languages of Thanksgiving
READING
Our gratitude can be expressed through the language of reading. For example, as an act of thanksgiving, we can read Scripture on thanks, read through a Scripture Reading Challenge on the topic, read Christian authors, or read biographies of Christian missionaries or martyrs.
WRITING
Similarly, our thanks can be expressed through the language of writing. One way to do this is by participating in a Thanksgiving Scripture Writing Challenge. (These challenges abound and can be located by a quick internet search.)
Other ways to express your gratitude through the language of writing are to simply create a list of the things for which you are thankful or to write a letter of thanks to God.
JOURNALING
Journaling is another language of thanksgiving. To speak this language as an expression of gratitude, choose a beautiful journal or a composition book for recording your thanks. Then journal your reflections as you read through thankful Scriptures, write out the passages from your Scripture Writing Plan adding your thoughts each day, or list gifts for which you are grateful (writing out a certain number each day).
MEDITATION
An often-neglected language of thanksgiving is the language of meditation. We speak this language when we saturate our minds with thoughts of thankfulness.
This language can be spoken in several ways. Try choosing Scriptures of thanks and writing them out on post-it notes or 3×5 cards. Then place your Scriptures in key places around your home where you will see them often. You can also speak the language by decorating your home with Thanksgiving Scriptures. (You don’t have to spend a lot of money on this. Scripture verse printables and art prints can be found on many internet sites.) Thirdly, you can go one step further by choosing some thankful Scriptures to memorize.
PRAYER
Expressions of gratitude can be made through the language of prayer. Offer prayers where you simply give thanks, asking for nothing. Pray about what you are learning from the Scriptures in your writing plan. Take your list of gifts to God in prayer, or pray a breath prayer such as, “Thank you/Jesus,” throughout your day.
MUSIC
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks has been quoted as saying, “Words are the language of the mind. Music is the language of the soul.” And English writer, Arnold Bennett once described music as “a language which the soul alone understands, but which the soul can never translate.”
Yes, music is a language of thanksgiving. In fact, the Bible itself contains some beautiful verses that highlight the language of music.
Scriptures That Highlight the Language of Music
Psalm 28:7
Psalm 47:1
Psalm 68:4
Psalm 69:30
Psalm 95:1-6
Psalm 98:1a
Psalm 147:1
Ephesians 5:19
Colossians 3:16
Songs for Expressing Gratitude
There are also some beautiful Christian songs that can be used in the giving of thanks. Make yourself a playlist of songs that express gratitude. Then sing the songs, listen to the songs, or play the songs on your musical instrument. Play them as you engage with God during your personal quiet time, while you cook or clean, or as background music when you are entertaining.
