The gift of Thank You

A bit THANK YOU goes to many people this week. To those who contributed to the Connect Christmas Celebration, you are an amazing and amazingly talented lot. To those who help with our craft tent at the Manurewa Christmas in the Park. You gave generously of your time, even outside in unfavorable weather. To the two ladies who completed our nativity silhouettes on the church windows. Wonderful gifts of talent and time.

As Christmas approaches attention turns to gifts. What are we getting? What do we give? How many gifts do I have to buy?

But, there is one gift that can be given at any time, cost no money, and is translatable to any language and culture. That is - Thank You. To say thank you to someone, creates not just a warm (happy) feeling in both the giver and reciever, it is a good pattern of behaviour to acknowledge others, of being greatful for them and what they do. It also models the behaviour and attutude we should have towards God. How often do we say thank you to God for all he has given us, especially the gift of His Son, Jesus.

An interesting observation of making a habit of saying thank you to anyone, for example in the supermarket thanking the checkout person, it has a tendency to encourage the person behind you to follow suit. Let’s remember to give thanks and to express thanks for big and small things to all, set a trend of gratitude for those around you. Change the world one thank you at a time.