Imagine what a heavy schedule of appointments President Abraham Lincoln had to keep day after day. Yet when an elderly woman with no official business in mind asked to see him, he graciously consented.

As she entered Lincoln's office, he rose to greet her and asked how he might be of service. She replied that she had not come to ask a favor. She had heard that the President liked a certain kind of cookie, so she had baked some for him and brought them to his office.

With tears in his eyes, Lincoln responded, "You are the very first person who has ever come into my office asking not, expecting not, but rather bringing me a gift. I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

When coming into God's presence, once in a while let's refrain from giving Him a list of requests. Instead, let's simply bring Him the gift of our gratitude and love. We may be sure that nothing pleases our Father more than our sincere thanksgiving.

Why not spend time offering up the sacrifice of praise, meditating on the Lord's mercies, recalling the riches of His grace, and blessing His holy name? Today, give that gift to the Giver of all good gifts.  — Vernon C. Grounds