In a game of cards, when someone cannot hide the fact that they have a good hand—by a smile, or the way they hold their cards, or where they fix their eyes—it is called a “tell.” They’ve basically told everyone at the table they have a good hand—they just can’t hide it.
Well, that’s what a genuine heart of gratitude is like as well.
After Israel’s victory over the Philistines, David brought the ark of the covenant back to Jerusalem. He assembled the people and appointed ministers to sing a song of thanksgiving to God. The song begins:
8 Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
9 Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
We all find it pretty easy, I think, to share our complaints; to express our frustrations; to lament what we don’t have and what has not gone right. But what about our blessings? A thankful heart cannot help but make it known to others. It cannot help but tell of all that we’re grateful for.
If you wonder whether you have a heart of gratitude, just ask yourself: What is it that I constantly make known to the people around me? Ask yourself: What’s my tell?
Have a wonderful day.
