A Simple “Thank You”
I looked up the term thank you in my dictionary tome, Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary, copyright 1983. It read “same as thanks.” I laughed.
The referenced thanks reads, “an expression of gratitude; grateful acknowledgement of something received by or done for one.”
Do you hear either variation on any given day? Better yet, say thanks yourself? It used to be automatic. My parents taught me and my siblings to say please and thank you repeatedly. I tried to do the same with my children, long before they could talk, along with Mama, Daddy, kitty and doggie.
This noticeable neglect of saying thank you has bothered my husband for years. Now I notice the lack as well. We don’t expect a trade in services or a big deal made over receipt of a gift. But a simple thanks would be appreciated. In other words, it’s not an expectation, but a desire to hear a gracious expression from the heart.
Saying thank you or thanks is affirmation of appreciation, and even a sign of respect for elders. Which brings on the idea that my Heavenly Father also likes to hear an expression of gratitude. So what does the Bible say about the subject? A lot.
The first that came to my mind was the verse we often said at the dinner table. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever (1 Chronicles 16:34).
An internet search – my browser listed thirty right at the top, and stated thankfulness isn’t just for the Thanksgiving holiday.
1 Thessalonians 5:13 says to give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Hmm. If I’m giving heartfelt thanks I sure can’t be grumbling or complaining at the same time.
At that point of my search, a song came to mind. I pulled it up and sang along. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMTmZKotTYw Thank you, Don Moen.
A grateful heart changes everything, especially if we have the attitude of Paul expressed in Colossians 3:17: And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Have you ever picked up pen and paper, or clicked a keyboard, listing what you are thankful for? aim for 100. Instant and fast, they come to mind. We are a blessed people beyond words, we children of the living God.
Again, I stress. We are a blessed, grateful, hopeful people. So the next time you hear a compliment, a clerk hands you a receipt, any time you are out and about, say THANK YOU with a smile. I’ve even been brazen in public and told a small child thanks for his or her smile. And if you are around small children (or bigger ones) teach them to say please and thank you. Those simple words are expressions of our heart condition toward the One who created us all in the womb.
Lest I be neglectful, I thank everyone who has ever taken the time to read anything I have written. I appreciate you. I am more grateful than words can express for my publisher and the editor-in-chief who crates gorgeous covers for the stories I write.
Most of all, I am drawn to tears when I think the God of the universe chose me as His daughter, and sent His only Son to take my sin to the cross. Thank You, Jesus.
The referenced thanks reads, “an expression of gratitude; grateful acknowledgement of something received by or done for one.”
Do you hear either variation on any given day? Better yet, say thanks yourself? It used to be automatic. My parents taught me and my siblings to say please and thank you repeatedly. I tried to do the same with my children, long before they could talk, along with Mama, Daddy, kitty and doggie.
This noticeable neglect of saying thank you has bothered my husband for years. Now I notice the lack as well. We don’t expect a trade in services or a big deal made over receipt of a gift. But a simple thanks would be appreciated. In other words, it’s not an expectation, but a desire to hear a gracious expression from the heart.
Saying thank you or thanks is affirmation of appreciation, and even a sign of respect for elders. Which brings on the idea that my Heavenly Father also likes to hear an expression of gratitude. So what does the Bible say about the subject? A lot.
The first that came to my mind was the verse we often said at the dinner table. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever (1 Chronicles 16:34).
An internet search – my browser listed thirty right at the top, and stated thankfulness isn’t just for the Thanksgiving holiday.
1 Thessalonians 5:13 says to give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Hmm. If I’m giving heartfelt thanks I sure can’t be grumbling or complaining at the same time.
At that point of my search, a song came to mind. I pulled it up and sang along. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMTmZKotTYw Thank you, Don Moen.
A grateful heart changes everything, especially if we have the attitude of Paul expressed in Colossians 3:17: And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Have you ever picked up pen and paper, or clicked a keyboard, listing what you are thankful for? aim for 100. Instant and fast, they come to mind. We are a blessed people beyond words, we children of the living God.
Again, I stress. We are a blessed, grateful, hopeful people. So the next time you hear a compliment, a clerk hands you a receipt, any time you are out and about, say THANK YOU with a smile. I’ve even been brazen in public and told a small child thanks for his or her smile. And if you are around small children (or bigger ones) teach them to say please and thank you. Those simple words are expressions of our heart condition toward the One who created us all in the womb.
Lest I be neglectful, I thank everyone who has ever taken the time to read anything I have written. I appreciate you. I am more grateful than words can express for my publisher and the editor-in-chief who crates gorgeous covers for the stories I write.
Most of all, I am drawn to tears when I think the God of the universe chose me as His daughter, and sent His only Son to take my sin to the cross. Thank You, Jesus.
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