Thank you

Here is another post off Tony Miles's Blog The Media Chaplains website Maybe Today:

Saying thank you

One of the first things we teach a child is the importance of saying, ‘thank you’. Yet, it surprises me how many adults seem to forget those two important little words. My wife, Frances, thinks that car drivers who fail to acknowledge when another has given way to them are a classic example.

This reminds me of the story of a little girl who went to a birthday party. When her Mum dropped her at the home where the action was taking place, she said, ‘Whatever happens, you must remember to say ‘thank you’ to your host when you leave the party. Don’t forget, will you?’

Well, the party was splendid and Mum returned to pick up her daughter. As Mums tend to do, the first question she asked her daughter as they made their way to the car was, ‘Did you remember to say thank you?’ Sheepishly her daughter replied, ‘No I didn’t’. “What? Didn’t you listen to me?’ said Mum. To which a little voice said, ‘The Girl in front did, but lady said “Don’t mention it”, so I’d didn’t!’

Maybe today is a day for endeavouring to live with gratitude in our hearts and it express it with our lips: Gratitude to each other, and gratitude to others. Just because others don’t live thankfully, doesn’t mean that we should do the same. Thank you for listening.

A prayer:

Gracious God, I’m sorry for taking you for granted and for failing to express love and gratitude in response to all you have given. Thank you for expressing your love and encouragement. May your Holy Spirit enable me to reflect your nature, that others may know the wonder of your love and be inspired to worship and adore you, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Copyright Rev. Anthony D. Miles March 2006