I’ve always struggled with seeing thankfulness as a greeting card sentiment.

Today I read the way Jesus modeled thanksgiving in his life, and I recall that nothing Jesus did can really be considered flimsy or powerless.

Last week I wrote about the frustration that comes with hearing an “old answer” – when you’ve been in a particular trench for a long time but the next person has nothing but the same old advice. I got it again Wednesday. I’ve been grasping at the humility of accepting such words even if I want to hear something else, even if I don’t know what that something else is. And my own words come round to me.

There were many times Jesus spoke words of acceptance, healing, and love. Easy to hear, life to the soul. Better than we could have imagined.

But there were also times he simply blew right past the perspectives of his hearers and offered his Father’s perspective.

And he didn’t just do it to the Pharisees. Everyone, including his own disciples and “those who followed him”, got his perspective, often bluntly, whether they wanted it or not. He didn’t coddle. He didn’t equivocate. He didn’t massage Scripture (Matt. 22:29, John 5:39). He told them what they needed to hear. Take it or leave it. If they were on board, even if only partially, he let them know of his gladness (Mark 10:21, 12:34).

Jesus is not who we want him to be. He is who he is.

We can trust that this is good.

So today…I will be thankful. Even though my heart and mind are struggling to be.

I can walk without excruciating back or knee pain.

I have a roof over my head.

I have the best mother in the world.

I have a paid off vehicle.

I have eternal life in Jesus Christ and, in him, a friend who brings his power into my life.

Another hammer of the nail into the palm of my immaturity and disobedience.