Thanks For Giving

One short week from today is Turkey Day! Thanksgiving. Are you thankful?

It seems that society has changed from thankful to expectant. So much can be done through the internet that social skills have suffered. We want something and we get it. Either in two days or at a drive through. We've even shortened "through" to "thru". Do we show quick gratitude?

"Thank you Alexa for ordering my toilet paper for me."

"Thank you UPS driver for putting the toilet paper on my porch."

"Thank you self for carrying the toilet paper into the bathroom."

That may sound funny, but is it really far fetched to think about?

What about when we go out to a "sit down" dinner or wait through a check out line when shopping? Do we thank our servers or the people who ring up our sale, or do we just go on about our day because they were just doing what they're paid to do? Last time I checked there weren't robots serving tables or at the desk over at the dry cleaners. Human beings were still there doing the daily tasks that keep our world running along the way we've gotten used to it running.

I believe it truly is better to give than to receive. Most of the time it's tit for tat; I give a smile and gratitude, I get a warm response back. Win-win. That solidifies the saying to me; it IS better to give! When you give, you get gratification; even if it's just a smile, a "thank you"; getting the same back is a great feeling.

Yesterday, I wanted to kiss the feet of the lady who carried out a fifty pound bag of cat food for me. I was very grateful for her as she tossed it over her shoulder and carried it out to my truck while chatting away happily. All I could do is tell her "Thank you so much!" 50 times-one for every pound of cat food. And the manager at the grocery store who didn't laugh at me (that I know of) while I was bundled up like Randy from The Christmas Story and carrying around my 15 reusable bags; a literal bag lady! She politely asked if I would like her to take the bags to the checkout so I wouldn't have to lug them through the store. Then she added, "I promise no one will mess with them or I'll chase them out into the parking lot and give them what for!" I still laugh at the scene in my head, I was surely a sight. Then there was the meat department guy who reached way to the back of the top shelf for the last bag of whole bean coffee that I couldn't reach. He has NO idea how thankful I was for that! I could go on, because I actually went to town yesterday and had several encounters that I was very thankful for but I'll end with one last thankful moment, my little church. What a huge blessing to me and my family; a building full of love, only fifteen to twenty folks but ten thousands worth of love. They make me feel whole and fill my cup so that I can pour out to others.

This year maybe we can all take some time to thank someone we don't typically thank. Those that routinely do things that we appreciate, but also maybe take for granted.

Thanks Mom for being you. I wouldn't want you any other way. Thanks Dad for showing me people can change. Thank you kids for always making me proud. Thanks hubby for loving me...that's got to be enough to cram a thousand jewels in your crown. Thank you family for sharing life with me. Thank you friends for sticking with me.

Thank you, for taking time to read my blog, I wish you knew how much it means to me.

Thanks for giving-God. For giving me life, ability and blessings abundant. Thank you for loving me so much that you sent Jesus here to walk around and teach others, then suffer unimaginable torture and finally die on the cross. AND THEN, to rise from that cold, dark tomb and walk around again to show scoffers, mockers, unbelievers and a few that actually admitted that it really happened, so that I can live my life however I want, but hopefully put my faith in the fact that all this actually did happen and tell others so we can all join you one day in Heaven forever.

(Thank you for not judging my run on sentence...)

I do believe John 3:16. I believe it with my whole heart and I'm very thankful for those who led me to the cross and showed me that it is the truth. I'll be even more thankful when I know I've told everyone I'm supposed to tell, and we can all go home.

In everything-Give Thanks. Not just next Thursday, but every day.