I was heartened by another beautiful expression of true gratitude when the Clemson Tigers defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2019 college football championship game. After the game, Fox News reported this about Dabo Swinney, the Clemson head coach:

“After Clemson Tigers head coach kissed the championship trophy Monday night, he had one person to thank: ‘Only God can do this.’ Dabo Swinney, who has called Christianity the foundation of his life, thanked Jesus during a press conference after the Tigers’ national championship win over Alabama—his alma mater and the school where his coaching career started.

“All the credit, all the glory, goes to the Good Lord,” he said Monday in a post-game interview… ‘For me, personally, joy comes from focusing on Jesus, others, then yourself’” (Caleb Parke, January 8, 2019, “Clemson Tigers coach thanks God after title win: ‘All the glory goes to the Good Lord,’” Fox News).

Dabo’s words are absolutely true, but we don’t hear them very often. For a coach, in a sport where individual attention is so paramount, to stop and honor our Savior for His hand in his life and his success is a truly remarkable occurrence. Dabo’s appropriately placed gratitude is a powerful reminder of how wonderful God can be, even in things that seem only temporal, like football.

Like Dabo Swinney, you may have had times when feelings of gratitude have come naturally. There are times when a thank you, an earnest fast, an appreciative letter, a warm embrace, a tender discussion, a grateful smile, heartfelt tears, and even a sincere prayer feel inadequate to express thanks to God and to those who have sacrificed deeply for us.