Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

— Psalm 100:4 (KJV)

It’s easier for me to remember a problem that took an hour than the person who made the hour easier. Maybe they stayed to help me figure it out, or maybe they just brought me something to eat when I hadn’t thought to stop. I can be grateful in the moment and still forget to say anything.

When I read this psalm, I think about taking a little time to remember those things in prayer. I can thank God for a particular person or a kindness I might have hurried past. Sometimes that prayer reminds me to tell the person what it meant to me, too.

I’d like to get better at saying thanks while I still remember the details. “I appreciated that you stayed until we got it working” says something a quick “thanks for everything” can miss.