Published by I rarely notice license plates on the back of cars unless I am stopped at a long traffic light; delayed by a slow freight train; or creeping long in heavy traffic on the interstate.
However, things do change daily as was the case a short while ago when I happened to notice the license plate on a car parked in a shopping mall as I passed it on my way into the store. The plate read; GR8FUL. I stopped for a moment and read it again, then pondered on it as I made my way into the store.
We all know it is important (and that polite society requires) we express our thanks or gratitude when someone does something nice for us, or bestows a favor or kindness, but how often do we fail in this very small but important task? This isn’t to chastise anyone, as I have been negligent on many occasions as I am sure you have been also.
Why We Fail in Expressing Gratitude
Often the reason we fail in expressing our thanks is that we are so engrossed in the tasks involved with day to day living, we just seem to forget to say “thank you” to those who extend even the smallest courtesy. Maybe we even take small courtesies for grant it: You know, like thanking a person when they hold a door open for us, or move their shopping cart out of the way so we can get passed?
Many Ways to Say Thank You
My maternal grandpa never said, “Thank you”; “I appreciate it”; or even “Thanks”: No grandpa had another expression, I believe is just as good, “Much oblige!” he would say sincerely when ever anyone did something kind for him. It doesn’t matter what word, or phrase you use to convey your appreciation and gratitude, just so it is sincere. My paternal grandmother would say, “Danke” even though she came from Germany as a very young girl, and spoke English very well.
Good Deeds Cost the Doer
Personally telling a person how much I appreciate their act of kindness is terribly important to me – not necessarily for my sake to show I’ve been “fetched-up” fit and proper – but more for the giver’s sake, to let them know how much I appreciate the fact they thought about me to take the time and expense to give me some gesture of kindness.
We often don’t consider it costing a person something, unless the kindness or gift costs money. But what about a person who takes time to run an errand for you, or listen to a problem you need to “air”, or sits with your children while you make an emergency run to the vet with your sick dog or cat? These cost time. And in a sense what costs time, costs money, as that old saying maintains.
Gratitude is Important to God
Did you know God must feel expressing our thanks not only to Him but to others is real important? What would make me think so? Consider what I discovered in thinking on the topic of gratitude, there are:
- 30 verses in the Bible which relate to gratitude directly
- 20 verses in the Bible which relate to thanksgiving
- 25-30 verses on praise as it pertains to gratitude
No Deed to Small to Say Thanks
Sometimes we don’t feel a need to express our gratitude as the deed might seem rather ordinary and insignificant. I don’t think any good deed is so small as not to warrant a simple, “Thanks”.
But here’s a list of some things we should be grateful for:
- Gifts (like at birthdays, Christmas, Special occasions, etc.)
- When someone lends a helping hand
- Greeting cards
- Encouragement
- Friendship
- Love
- Understanding
- Sound advice
- Polite gestures such as: opening doors, stepping out of their way for you, picking up dropped items
- Giving directions, suggestions or information. You know directions to find which aisle light bulbs are on. Or a suggestion as to what restaurant serves the best selection of dinners. Information like; Why the main street in town is blocked to through traffic (you will learn what event is taking place, or if there is some road emergency).
When All Things Count
There’s a list of things we should thank God for also:
- Morning and evening (1 Chronicles 23:30)
- His provision: Our food, clothing, homes.
- Employment
- Friends
- Family
- Answered Prayer
- Unanswered prayer (if you believe in the answer coming)
- Life
- Health and healing
- Wisdom and understanding
- God’s enduring love (Psalm 106:1
- God’s blessings, favor
- For being you
- Your church
- Yes, even adverse situations
Now see what one wee license plate did, caused me to think this whole situation of gratitude out! But seriously, may we all be attentive to the message on that car, and be so GR8FUL for all things at all times.
Great article! Gratitude is something that we learn from our elders, but then we have to choose to make it a habit – an “attitude of gratitude”.
My mom taught me to say thank you. It was so much a part of her character that when she was in the hospital dying of lung cancer, she still managed to whisper “thank you” to all of the hospital staff for everything they did.
Thank you is a very powerful word Catelin and one I try to use on a daily basis. Excellent articles and lots of things to think about
I agree, Catelyn, and thank you for pointing it out. Especially in the impersonal world of internet, thank you’s are so important!
I manage a prayer and praise list for our church, and keep it tacked to the bathroom mirror so it is one of the first things I see in the morning. It helps shape my day, as praises come before prayer requests.