Give Thanks for the Little Things – January 30, 2023

Read: Zephaniah 2:3, 3:11-13

Seek the LORD, all you humble people of the earth who have carried out his commands. Seek righteousness. Seek humility.
Zephaniah 2:3

Give Thanks for the Little Things

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

What’s something you’re really good at? Maybe it’s a sport where you’ve helped your team win trophies and championships. Maybe it’s a musical instrument where you’ve played a really hard piece perfectly at a recital. Maybe you’re good at school and can solve hard problems.

When you’re good at something, you naturally want to tell someone about it. You want your friends and family members to come watch your game or concert or listen to what you’re learning in school. It’s fun when people compliment you on something you’re good at, when they give you recognition and praise.

There’s nothing wrong with being proud of things you’re good at and accomplishments you’ve worked hard to achieve. But in today’s reading, the prophet Zephaniah reminds us that there’s something else we should be good at. He says to be a humble person and “seek humility.” It means not bragging about things you’re good at. But when you’re good at something, you naturally want to share that with people! So how can you be both proud and humble at the same time?

If you rely on yourself, you can’t. If you think you’re really good at something just because you worked hard and practiced, you can’t. But if you remember where your abilities came from, if you remember who made you good at something in the first place, then you can be both proud and humble.

You are special to God. He made you just the way he wanted you to be and gave you exactly the gifts and talents he wanted you to have. Without God, you wouldn’t be good at anything. So when you remember you’re only good at something because of God, when you remember to say thank you for your successes, when you get your strength from God rather than from the things you’re good at, then you’re being humble and proud at the same time.

Thank God for what you’re good at. Thank him when you do something well. Remember that all your abilities come from him, and then you’ll be both proud and humble.

Closing Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for the special gifts and abilities you gave me. Remind me to always give you thanks for all the things you equip me to do well. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• What’s something that you’re really good at?
• Who gave you the gifts to be good at it?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What does it mean to be humble?
• How can you be both proud and humble at the same time?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Agree or disagree. It’s wrong to appreciate recognition and praise when you do something well.
• When you do something well, what is something you can say or do to show people around you that you’re thankful to God for your success?