According to an old Guideposts story, for Christmas one year, Phyllis Wohlfarth's husband gave her a gold lapel pin. Phyllis said she only took a second to thank her husband for his gift. A week later, as she put on the lapel pin, she reflected on her husband's thoughtfulness. With more sincerity, she thanked him again. Her husband explained that the pin had belonged to his grandmother, so it was very special to him. Phyllis noted that if she hadn't offered the second "thank you," she might have never learned the significance of the pin. It was only when she took the time to reflect on the gift and offer a more sincere "thank you" that she really learned to appreciate her husband's gesture.

How often do we offer God a quick "Thank You" for our many blessings, and then forget about them? Or how often do we just take the blessings of God and never even say "Thank You."