Timing is everything they say, and with some words the wrong time can ruin the best of words. Deliver those three little words, “I love you,” when she was just about to DTR (Define The Relationship), ushering you to the Friend Zone, may leave you and her shell shocked, causing you to pause even when writing in a card to mom on Mother’s Day, fearful mom may be thinking of having a DTR conversation with you.
“I’m sorry,” while great words needing utterance with regularity, can also be out of place. The same goes for “please” and a few others. But there are two words that always fit the occasion and never leave the hearer wounded.
The old evangelist said, When gratitude dies on the altar of a man’s heart, that man is well-nigh hopeless.
Say thank you more than you think you do, to more people than you think deserve it, in more situations than seem necessary, in more mediums than you normally use, and to God in everything.
- Say thank you to the custodian mopping the restroom at the place where you work.
- Say thank you to the cashier who swipes your credit card or gives you change.
- Say thank you to your mom or whoever the person is in your home who does the laundry.
- Say thank you to your dad for loving your mom.
- Say thank you to the musicians who aid our worship.
- Say thank you to your Bible teachers and pastors for delivering the Word of God to you week after week.
- Say thank you to your children’s Sunday School teachers or those who care for your little ones in the church nursery.
- Say thank you to the tech guys who make it possible to hear and see when the church gathers.
- Say thank you to your children for bringing youth, happiness, young love, and life into your home.
- Say thank you to your siblings for answering the phone, playing video games, talking late into the night, and giving been there – don’t that advice.
- Say thank you to parents for your education, the furniture you plop down in or on in their home, their cars you drive, and their food you eat.
- Say thank you to your spouse for faithfulness to you today, yesterday, last week, last month, last year, and since your wedding day.
- And on and on the list goes.
In the next hour can you say thank you to someone for something you observe? Before the end of the day can you write a thank you note, address the envelope, put a stamp on it, and drop it in the mail? When you say goodnight to your spouse, can you say thank you for something in your relationship your spouse contributes that makes your life better, easier, happier?
Lest we overlook the obvious as Christians, can you tell your Lord thank you again and again for his boundless mercy, his abundant grace, his unconditional love, and his certain promises? Would you thank our Lord right now? Would you thank him again one hour from now? Would you thank him on the drive home? Would you thank him around the dinner table? Would you thank him as you tuck the kiddos into bed? Would you thank him with the last thoughts before sleep overtakes you?
Say thank you and do not let a day go by without doing so. This is an expression of your Christian character.
In everything, give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
As always I welcome your feedback and any suggestions you might have for an upcoming Lunchtime Musing.