“I want all your moments to be punctuated with thanksgiving.” Sarah Young, Jesus Calling, April 16

Punctuation marks. Like chalky erasers, you probably haven’t thought about them since grade school. Punctuation directs the reader. Road signs without the flash of color. Quotation marks designate dialogue. Periods command a full stop while commas mark a simple pause. Colons herald a list or something of note.

Apostrophes act as shortcuts or tell what belongs to whom. Dashes interrupt, but ellipses trail off like a sleepy yawn, leaving you in la-la land. And question marks? Do you really have to ask?

Paul tells us, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18).” 

But to punctuate with thanksgiving? What does that look like?

As God paints another streaky sunrise, His color palette brings me to a full stop of awe-inspired thanks. Period. 

Hot, steamy showers and soap. Crisp, green kiwis with snappy black seeds. Commas. Quick pauses of gratitude. 

Colons represent God-moments. Testimonies to God’s help, like six hours of work completed in five. Or a new book idea roughed out into an unexpected first draft during the early morning hours.

Quotations mark praise as the Word jumps from its wrinkled page and, “Hallelujah!” I realize He’s speaking to me. 

Dashes—God’s interruptions that sweeten the day—or pry my controlling fingers off of it.

Ellipses, thankfulness for God’s ability to pace my day and to help me be still and know . . .

Exclamations range from “Help!” to “Yay!” Thankfulness reminds me He reigns over both.

And the question marks? They vary from “Why did you choose me?” to “What is going on?” Thankfulness proves vital in the midst of question marks. 

Don’t wait to journal your gratitude. Punctuate your day now with appreciation. 

With thanks. 

With an acknowledgment of His role in the day. 

Period. 

Which punctuation mark fits your thanksgiving today?

Workout for the Week: Punctuate with Thanksgiving

Memory Verse: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV

Meditation Passage: Psalm 100

Do It: Give thanks. Period. 

Have you practiced the spiritual discipline of study this month? What have you learned?