Time out to be thankful is nothing new for Tim Tebow. The young football player never hesitates to pause on bended knee after a victory.
He was true to form during last weekend's broadcast of the Denver Broncos vs. Pittsburgh Steelers AFC wild-card game when I watched him kneel to thank God for a win in overtime.
Fans yelled, cameras clicked and football players danced on the playing field. In the bedlam -- and the glory of the moment -- it would have been easy to forget gratitude.
But Tim didn't.
That's where Tim Tebow and I are different. Way too often I take for granted my developed skills, natural abilities and physical health, forgetting that life and successes are gifts from God.
For instance, when the call came last summer that I had an opportunity to write a discussion guide for a major film, did you find me Tebowing -- falling on bended knee? No, in the ecstasy of the moment I called close friends to share the news, chatting on about the thrill of attending the film screening in Beverly Hills, the anticipation of possibly seeing a star in attendance.
At some point, I thanked God for this project. But thinking back, it probably was closer to the time I had to actually throw some ideas onto paper, to meet the creative challenge head on. Faced with huge expectations to deliver, I found myself asking God for help, with a belated note of thankfulness for the opening to write.
In the tense hours at my computer when every second counted, I caught the vision for the discussion guide. Running with the idea, verses leapt from the pages of my Bible so fast that I could hardly keep up with the inspiration. God was blessing me and I knew it.
After the job was finished, word came that the assignment had scored with the film company. In the celebration of the moment, I remembered to kneel in gratitude to thank the Lord for his overwhelming goodness to me.
Still, on the daily playing field when life is routine, it's easy for me to become complacent about all the good things that come my way, to forget to be thankful. Maybe you experience that same scenario too -- neglecting an attitude of gratefulness.
It's easy to give this omission a pass, but the Bible tells us differently. "Always give thanks for everything to our God and Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 5:20 LB)
The scriptures are very specific about our saying "thank you" all the time. No excuses. In fact, in 1 Chronicles 16:8, we're even encouraged to go public: "Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done." (NLT)
From what I'm reading in God's Word, it sounds like it's a good idea for me -- and you -- to remember to take more timeouts for Tebowing.
* Lucy Luginbill is a freelance writer, former TV producer and "Light Notes" blogger at www.tri-cityherald.com. Questions and comments should be directed to her in care of the Tri-City Herald newsroom, 333 W. Canal Drive, Kennewick, WA 99336. Or email spirituallife.lucy@gmail.com
