When there is gratitude, often times the person who has done something for someone else will be thanked. The typical response is “You’re welcome.” Often, we say this without any second thought, typically out of habit and it is learned behavior. Do we consider what this statement really means?

Welcome, as defined in the Merriam Webster dictionary, means to accept with pleasure the occurrence or presence of. How many times have we really meant that someone was welcome when we said it?

Unsurprisingly, God welcomes us and means it! He is a God that takes pleasure in us being in His presence. He showed his gratitude by welcoming us to everlasting life. This occurrence was made possible by God sacrificing His only Son to die for our sins.

Jesus died and rose from the dead, with all power in His hands. He is our resource to just how welcoming our Father is to us.

When God does not allow us to be overwrought by every single setup that Satan attempts, God is saying to us, you’re welcome—He values us so much that He looks out for us constantly. He appreciates us far more than we exude our appreciation for Him. God is never too far away*Mind-Blowing Moment: When we stray away, we are still welcomed back (no matter how far, no matter how many times).

Think about how many times we may have said “You’re welcome.” Now, think about how many times we have said this to our God. Multiply it. Say it more often—welcome God in. Reverence the Lord for all He has done, for who He is, and for who you are because of His welcoming embrace and unfailing love.

Scripture to Remember: James 1:17

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.