In a vain attempt to encourage youngsters to be thankful last Sunday, I brought an emblem of gratitude with me for the children’s story (on the theory that props are always good with this or any age group). It was a “thank-you” card I received (undeserved, but appreciated) from LaDonna Painter for my participation in the planning for our 150th anniversary celebration.
My futile hope was that I could lead the kids to realize that we all like to hear “thank-you” when we have done something helpful or nice for someone else. Again, according to my pre-game plan that always crumbles in light of actual children, I would then encourage them to say thank-you to others. In my imaginary world where I can actually make these points with our children, I would then rehearse with them who might be a fitting recipient of a “thank-you.” My hope-filled imagination had them thanking parents and teachers and siblings; and God who gave us all the people and things for which we are thankful. Hope is sometimes a silly thing.
Expecting thanks can prove disappointing. People end up thanking you for things you forgot the second you did them because the thing they are thanking you for was no burden at all. On the other hand, the things for which we sweat blood so often seem to go unnoticed and apparently unappreciated.
Jesus bluntly tells us that we shouldn’t expect a gold star or a thank-you note from God for doing our duty.
Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!’” (Luke 17:9-10)
As we mark this annual celebration of Thanksgiving, it wouldn’t hurt us to be more genuinely humble in our prayers. We cannot do otherwise than thank God. All that we have is from God’s bountiful hand. When we ask ourselves what we have given God, we have to say, “not so much.”
Prayer:Bountiful God, you have given us everything we have, and made us everything we are. We thank you. Remind us that we have nothing to give you; we only return to you the gifts you have already given us.