Scott Kamps
G.K. Chesterton wrote, “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”
I think most people see the superiority of giving thanks over taking things for granted. The difference between gratitude and entitlement is vividly illustrated in considering two ways that children react to getting a piece of pie.
One child receives the pie with a smile, saying, “Thank you.”
Another child receives it, saying, “That’s not fair, his piece is bigger than mine!”
Simply put, entitlement leads us to underestimate the value of things – and gratitude leads us to appreciate the goodness of the gift we’ve received.
That leads to the next sentence Chesterton wrote: “The worst moment for an atheist is when he is really thankful and has no one to thank.”
I believe his point is not to disparage atheists, but to acknowledge the very real experience we have when the appreciation of a good gift bubbles up inside of us – like when seeing our bride come down the aisle toward us, or when holding our newborn baby. It’s impossible to thank God for the gift of a wife or child if you deny/doubt His existence.
For Christians, gratitude ought to go beyond thankfulness for the gifts we receive. Another one of my favorite authors, C.S. Lewis, writes, “I have tried to make every pleasure into a channel of adoration. I don’t mean simply by giving thanks for it. One must of course give thanks, but I mean something different … Gratitude exclaims, very properly, ‘How good of God to give me this.’ Adoration says, “What must be the quality of that Being whose far-off and momentary coruscations [sudden flashes of light] are like this!’
One’s mind runs back up the sunbeam to the sun.”
The focus of true thanksgiving should be on the Giver of good gifts, not the gifts themselves.
There’s an inseparable link between giving thanks and offering praise. The two terms are often paired in the Psalms. Psalm 92:1 says, “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High…”
Considering what we’re thankful for should be more than mere list-making: it should lift our hearts to the giver behind the gifts.
C.S. Lewis goes even further: “We ought to give thanks for all fortune: if it is ‘good,’ because it is good, if ‘bad’ because it works in us patience, humility, and the contempt of this world and the hope of our eternal country.”
I can be grateful for drops of mercy I’ve experienced in the dark clouds of 2025; as well as for what God has taught me through it all – especially knowing He has a good purpose in the anguish of this year. I know others have experienced – or are experiencing – sorrow and heartache this year as well. There’s nothing to say except God knows, He cares, and He’s close to the brokenhearted – and one day, all will be made right.
Thank you, Lord.
Scott Kamps writes a bi-weekly column for The Graham Star. He can be reached via email, thestableguy@frontier.com.