Send a Thank-You Note Today

Jesus literally asked (and the emphasis is His in the original language): “But the nine—where?” Jesus’ amazement came not from this one who returned to thank Jesus, but from the nine who didn’t!

Why We’re Often a Thankless Lot

Why do we fail to say, “Thank you,” to those who have helped us? Maybe we think:

• Sending a thank-you note is a hassle. It takes time.
• He already knows I appreciate him.
• I plan to jot her a thank-you note soon. Maybe tomorrow. Someday. Soon.
• Someone else will do it or probably already has.

Or worse, sometimes we fail to say, “Thank you,” because the thought never occurs to us.

You Have the Power of Appreciation

“But the nine—where?” Jesus’ question exposes us, doesn’t it?

Unless we make a deliberate effort to turn back and give thanks, we will fall into the rut of taking others for granted. Good intentions excuse us from ever really doing anything.

Take a moment right now and scribble or type a thank-you note to that someone you thought about who helped you. Some examples:

• A parent or step-parent
• A pastor (he really needs to hear it!)
• A friend who prayed for you when you had a special need
• A teacher or professor who changed the course of your life

A few years ago I decided to write and encourage my father during a discouraging time in his life. I thanked him for everything I could remember him doing for me. Everything.

I kept it simple and wrote: “Thanks for this. Thanks for this. Thanks for this”—etc. On and on I wrote. I bet I had more than fifty things on the list at the end of the thank-you note. He later told me he felt like a hero when he read it.

Isn’t the power of appreciation amazing? You have that power.

Take the time to use it today.

Question: Why do you think we are so slow to thank those who have helped us? Please leave a comment.