There is a phrase, one that we were taught from a very early age, that holds a lot of power. That simple phrase is the difference between being assumed to be grateful, or thought of as having a sense of entitlement. The phrase, of course, is ‘thank you’. As a mom, hearing a genuine thank you that I don’t have to ask for from my little girls makes my heart happy. On the flip side, when they don’t say thank you, especially to people outside the family who have done something kind or have given them something, I can feel like I am failing a bit in raising them to be grateful.

As a teacher, I deal with so many occasions where I go out of my way to help a student and never hear the words “thank you” uttered. It comes with the territory. It is somewhat expected when it comes to teenagers, because honestly, they don’t have enough life experience to know when someone is going out on a limb for them. What shouldn’t be as common, however, is not hearing gratitude from adults, whether it is parents, coworkers, or members of the community.

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT

All over scripture we are told to give thanks. It isn’t optional. We are to be grateful, and show our gratitude. One of the most frustrating things for me is when I have gone out of my way to do something or give something to someone else, and they either don’t acknowledge it, or don’t say thank you. Don’t get me wrong, when I do things for others I don’t do them to receive any kind of recognition, however, a simple thank you is just the courteous thing to do.

Jesus even recognized gratitude. In Luke 17:11-19, we read the story of Jesus healing ten lepers. When he healed them, only one came back to thank him. Here is what Jesus had to say (verses 17-19), “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.”

Maybe it boils down to simply not recognizing the things that others do for us. If that is the case, my prayer is that our eyes would be open to see what others are doing on our behalf. Perhaps we do recognize what is being done, but are selfish and have come to a point of feeling entitled to having others meet our needs. If that is the case, I pray for humility. Whatever it is, my prayer is that we would start an epidemic of gratitude. Not false, insincere mumblings of “thanks”, but true, heartfelt gratitude. Help us Lord, to appreciate others, and treat them as we would like to be treated.

Thank You!