Pause to say ‘Thank you’

Donation Food

WE all like to feel appreciated, don’t we? Whether it be just the simple wave from a fellow motorist when we allow them to come in front of us, or the letter of thanks from a returned visitor after enjoying our hospitality, a ‘thank you’ can really make a difference to the way we feel and our perception of others.

I know we once had guests who just treated us like a hotel, continually requesting service, never offering help and always ready to complain, who left without any word of thanks, and who, we presume, will fortunately never want to come again.

It’s a simple courtesy, we hope we’ve taught our children, to show real appreciation and gratitude whenever someone does us a kindness, and never to take others for granted.

But just how much do we take God for granted and how rarely do we take time to acknowledge His goodness. How quick we are to protest when storms and floods destroy our crops and infrastructure, as so often seems to happen these days. How quickly we complain when sickness or tragedy strikes us or those we love.

And how often do we pause in our busy lives to ‘count our blessings,’ thanking God for the health and happiness that over the years we have come to presume is our right. How often, as we prepare to enjoy a good meal with friends do we thank, not just the cook, but God for His provision of food, health and friendship, using words along the lines of: ‘For food to eat and those who prepare it; for health to enjoy it and friends to share it, we give you thanks O Lord.’

So now, at this time of year, as many of us join together to celebrate harvest, let’s take time for true gratitude for all we have and remembering those who can’t afford such celebrations. Make some effort to share our abundance with them, either through giving to a Church Harvest Thanksgiving or by donating to one of the official food banks in this area.

Duncan Burr is Licensed Lay Reader for the Anglican Chaplaincy of Costa Almeria and Costa Calida (further detail available at www.mojacarchurch.org) and may be contacted at d.burr@albox-online.net

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Duncan Burr

Duncan Burr is Licensed Lay Reader for the Anglican Chaplaincy of Costa Almeria and Costa Calida (further detail available at www.mojacarchurch.org) and may be contacted at d.burr@albox-online.net

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