The Gift of Thank You

My Bible is stuffed full of special things that I treasure.  There are photos, letters, drawings, and special thank you notes. Thank you. Two little words that speak volumes! When words of thanks are shared they bring with them joy, usually result in a smile, and like the ones I’ve received, are treasured. The rewards are not just for those on the receiving end though, as it turns out, the ones offering them benefit too.

There’s power in the gift of a thank you! Power to mend when forgiveness is given. Power to build up when a job’s been well done. Power to honor when a sacrifice has been made. Power in ways we can’t even imagine.  Such little words that make a big difference! Why then, are they used less today instead of more?

Let me ask you a question. When was the last time you told someone thank you and not just as a passing thought but really thanked them? I’m asking myself the same thing. With regret, I often think about people who are no longer with me and how I wish I’d let them know how much I appreciated them when I had the chance. Are there those you think of too? Unfortunately in our world today, we allow ourselves to get so busy, distracted, or self-absorbed that we often take what others do for us for granted and many times don’t think about the impact they’ve made on our lives until it is too late to tell them. We need to make a change. **

Do you remember the story of the ten lepers? Jesus heard them crying out and so he told them to go show themselves to the priests. On their way there, they were healed of their Leprosy.

“One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, ‘Praise God!’ He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, ‘Didn’t I heal ten men? What about the other nine?’ Luke 17:14-15 (NLT)

So, who are we going to be like? The one or the nine?  Here’s a little challenge for you (and me) to help us be like the one: At this very moment, I want you to stop and think about someone who has made a difference, large or small, in your life. Now, let’s go send them a text, an email, or better yet a handwritten note thanking them for what they’ve done. Most likely they aren’t even aware they’ve made a difference so our words will be a precious surprise . And who knows? Maybe our thanks will encourage their thanks. Maybe the giving will feel so good that we’ll offer it more! Whatever the result, there’s one thing I’m sure of : the gift of a thank you is a gift that keeps on giving! My Bible mementos are proof of that!   So, let’s not delay and start giving it today!

Oh, and one more important thing to remember:

“And whatever you do or say, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17 (NIV)

This post is written as part of the 31 Days of Five Minute Friday Free Writes Challenge. You can read posts from other writers on the same topics over at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com I hope you know that I so appreciate you being here! Thank you! God bless, Cindy