Thank you's are Important

In church today the sermon was, "And He Was a Samaritan!" from Luke 17: 11-19. The Rev. Rob Lohmeyer delivered this sermon and concentrated on a time in the life of Jesus when he was walking from one area to another, and during this time He was approached by a group of 10 lepers who asked Jesus for his help. He told them that they would be returned to health and should report to their priest to show that they were now clean, so they could then return to interaction with society and no longer be shunned. The ten hurried off, but one returned to Jesus, prostrated himself at his feet, and thanked him. Jesus responded, "Where are the other nine?" Now the pastor went on to talk about this one man who thanked Jesus, and that he was a Samaritan, as well.


I started to think about the need to thank people when they do something for you, give you a present, or help you in some way, and how the act of thanking seems to complete this cycle in a very positive way which makes the giver feel validated even though he may not expect that. My mom has talked about why people do not bother to thank someone when they have been given a gift. Should she even bother in the future? She feels guilty if she were to cut someone off for not giving the courtesy of thanking and continues to give, but is sad that they think so little of her that they do not thank her.

One grandson James is particularly good at saying thank you, and he seems to have taken this notion to his heart and probably will do so throughout his life. Another grandson, Jonny got a present of clothes from his Grammy and got on the phone and thanked her for, "the cutie boy clothes." What a smile this brought to his Grammy's face and the recognition that Jonny's mom liked to call him, "her cutie boy."

I think that it is important to thank others and try to do so as much as possible myself. When my kids were growing up I used to say, "You can have and or use the present AFTER you have thanked the giver."

My question to you, the reader, is, "How important are thank you's to you?" I would love to get your comments as well as suggestions on how to help others learn to return thanks to the giver.