And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.
1 Chronicles 29:13 ESV
Many of the finer points of social etiquette were not included in my upbringing. My mom left the farm behind when she entered adulthood; my dad was a bit younger when his family relocated from a farming community to the city.
Life on a farm doesn’t come with an extensive list of expected polite behaviors and rules of social etiquette.
So, I entered the adult world with a relatively limited arsenal of social skills. Through wide-eyed observation, helpful hints from social mentors, and numerous blunders and embarrassing moments, over time I gained a passable repertoire of skills that have allowed me to weather even challenging social situations.
But the basic social skills that I learned from my sweet and godly parents were as foundational and priceless as they are timeless:
– If adults are talking, as a child, I was to keep my mouth closed unless I was invited into the conversation. (This remains wise counsel against inserting myself into conversations that don’t concern me.)
– Don’t talk with food in your mouth or chew with your mouth open. And never pick up food with your fingers that is meant to be eaten with a fork or spoon. (Good advice at any age!)
– If an adult entered the room and all the seats were filled, I was always to get up and give my seat to the grown-up. (There’s still almost always someone more “adult” than me in the room.)
– Say “I’m sorry” if I wronged or hurt someone and be sincere when saying it! (A good and necessary practice at any age.)
– A “Please” should always be attached to a request. (Yes, please.)
– Finally, when someone is kind, considerate, or helpful, to you, never – ever – forget to say, “Thank You.”
For some reason when I was young, I seemed to have the most difficulty remembering that last instruction.
Never forget “Thank You!”
Perhaps it was the childish delight and excitement of receiving a gift, surprise, or unexpected kindness that made it hard to remember my manners. Or maybe it was a little girl’s self-centered focus on herself, rather than recognizing the cost, effort, or thoughtfulness of the Giver. Momma would remind me, “Sherri, what do we say…?”
When my sons were young, I often had to call them back to remind them to say “Thank you” when they received a treat, or gift, or a compliment from someone. In unison they would sing-song, “Thank You” before running off to play.
It was usually a meager display of gratitude (sometimes sincere, sometimes not) but I hoped they would eventually understand that it was not just the polite thing to do, but also the right thing. I wanted them to grow up with a spirit of gratitude and appreciation for kindnesses that came their way.
Thankfully, as adults both of my sons have kind hearts that are generous with genuine expressions of appreciation and gratitude.
“I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.”
Psalm 86:12 ESV
In the Gospel of Luke (Luke 17:11-19), Luke writes of a “Thank You” episode in the life of Jesus.
Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. His journey took Him through a strip of territory that bordered both Samaria and Galilee. In one of the villages along the way, ten lepers waited anxiously for Jesus to pass by. As soon as they caught sight of Jesus, they began to call out to Him, begging for healing.
“Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”
Luke 17:13 ESV
They stood at a distance and cried out loudly to get Jesus’ attention. The lepers were not allowed to mingle with the crowds or step closer to Jesus because of their awful disease and because of the rules of The Laws of Moses.
Jesus heard their desperate cries.
“Go and show yourselves to the priests.”
Luke 17:14
Now consider this, once diagnosed with leprosy, and sent away from the general population by a priest, a leper was not to return to the priest again unless the leprosy had been cured. In Bible times, leprosy was considered incurable and ultimately the cause of a disfiguring and painful death. The priests never expected to see a person again after the diagnosis of leprosy was pronounced.
But Jesus told the ten lepers to start running (my words) and show themselves to the priest. And the lepers took off believing that healing was coming.
“And as they went, they were cleansed.”
Luke 17:4 ESV
As the lepers ran, they were “cleansed” (healed). One of the lepers realized his leprosy was gone completely – the disease had disappeared. He was clean. He stopped in his tracks, turned around, and headed back to Jesus.
When the man reached Jesus, he fell at His feet expressing his gratitude and praise for his healing. At this point, Luke points out that the one who returned was a Samaritan.
Note: This small village sat between Samarian (Samaritans) and Galilean (home to Jews) borders. It is likely that the outcast lepers from Samaria and Galilee had come together to form a small leper colony. Typically, Samaritans and Jews despised each other and refused to mingle or live in the same community.
Jesus asked, “Weren’t there ten that were healed? Where are the other nine? Has only this foreigner returned to give thanks?” Luke 17:17 ESV
Jesus points out the irony that the physically healed Jews kept running, but the despised Samaritan returned to say, “Thank you.”
The Samaritan recognized the value of the gift he received and knew he had to give thanks to the One who had given him the priceless gift of life.
Jesus told the man kneeling at His feet, “Rise, and go your way; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:19
This statement by Jesus acknowledged the saving faith of the Samaritan. Not only had the man been physically healed of his leprosy, but he had also been spiritually healed. And friend, he was truly, sincerely thankful.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV
During this week of Thanksgiving, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the cooking, baking, cleaning, entertaining, traveling, the crazy dynamics and drama of family, and all else that plays into our holidays. But I urge you to be intentionally thankful for all the blessings that your Heavenly Father has given you.
Above all else, is the gift of salvation purchased for you by Jesus with His death, burial, and resurrection. That alone is blessing enough for which we should be eternally grateful. Your salvation is the hope-giving gift that eclipses all others, and it should motivate and invigorate every part of your life.
Make your thanks known to God. Tell Him regularly that you are grateful. Let your attitude of gratitude and praise be a testimony of God’s grace and goodness to all those around you.
“Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ….”
Ephesians 5:20 ESV
Yes, be thankful in all things, whether you have much or you have little in terms of earthly possessions. If you have Jesus Christ living in you, you have everything.
Never forget. Never stop. Repeating over and over, “Thank You, Lord.”
“Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! … Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!”
1 Chronicles 16:8, 34 ESV
