Saying Thank You

I noticed the two cards taped to the wall.

The old, yellowed tape led me to believe they were old and treasured.

Asking the receptionist, she explained the cards were from patients of the doctor. One was written in delicate cursive adult handwriting, the other in a young child’s colorful crayon. Although sent separately, both went to that doctor for a specific reason, because the writers wanted to express their thanks.

In today’s high speed electronic world dominated by texts, emails and direct messages, it isn’t often that cards or letters are handwritten, postmarked, and sent for delivery. For most it takes too much time and energy. I am of the belief that saying thank you in writing carries a significant level of importance. This is the way I was raised.

My mother taught me that if you received a gift, you sent a thank you note. Period. No exception. When I married the first time at the tender young age of eighteen, I was delinquent mailing out thank you cards for our wedding gifts. My mom was simply mortified.

Let’s go back to the story about the cards at the doctor’s office. In full disclosure, I will admit that I myself have sent cards or letters to doctors. Medical professionals take care of us year in and year out, and I believe they need to hear how much we appreciate them.

What about others in your life. Like your hair stylist. An old friend. Your manicurist. The groomer who cares for fido. Your housekeeper. The pastor at your church or the rabbi at the synagogue. That yoga teacher who is the best you’ve ever worked with. Someone who mentored you at work. A family member who has always been special to you. That coach or teacher who made such an impact on your life. A neighbor. The list could go on and on.

Why am I writing about thanking various people?

Because the world has become in some respects a cold hard place. Our great country is divided by many issues. Do you suppose with just a little effort, offering thanks might soften hearts and minds? I realize it won’t change the world, but could it be a tiny spark that encourages people to be appreciative and kinder toward others?

Sometimes we all just need to say thank you.

I’m not expecting you to own a greeting card file box like I do. Okay, I know that you might consider that a little over the top. Being organized is the good part of having a little OCD……okay, or maybe a lot. Stop and make a list of five people that you could thank. I wanted to say ten, but I knew you’d stop reading this, so I went with five.

This may be a stretch for some of you, for others not so much, but why not pray and ask God to lead you to who those five people should be. His Holy Spirit will guide you and bring those names to mind. Don’t go feeling weird and worry about what the five people might think of you, because we are just following the guidance we sense in our hearts.

Now this isn’t some formal scientific experiment. It’s just one sort of crazy card lady asking her readers to do something fairly simple. When you are done, please leave your comments and let us know how it made you feel to send those cards or letters. Share what the end result was when you offered your thanks.

My hope is that my words will encourage us to offer thanks to people, to those that share our lives in a wide variety of ways. Don’t miss telling someone thank you for touching your life.

“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” Ephesians 1:16