Paul begins most of his letters with expressions of thanks to God for the church and the believers to whom he writes. The thanksgiving often leads into a prayer, and that pattern makes sense.

While I visited with a member of my congregation who was recovering from surgery, she talked about the progress she was making and the excellent care she was receiving from the physical therapists. She shared that the care went well beyond her physical needs. Because her husband lived in a dementia care unit nearby, the therapists thoughtfully included walks to her husband’s room as part of the rehabilitation plan for her. She was delighted and thankful. Together we gave thanks to God in prayer for that thoughtful gift.

Have people shown thoughtfulness in your life? Have you looked around you and seen evidences of God’s care through family members, friends, acquaintances—and even strangers? It’s easy to miss seeing God’s hand at work through others and God’s goodness woven into the tapestry of our days.

But maybe today, as Paul did, we could listen carefully for reports of people living out their faith, and we could look for signs of God’s goodness in our own lives. Then let’s also pray and give thanks.