A Word of Encouragement

Giving Thanks

How often do you say, “thank you”? I mean, I know we are taught when we are very young to say thanks as a part of showing good manners.  We know it’s what we should do when someone goes out of their way for us – be it for something big like dropping what they are doing to help us meet a deadline or something small like passing the salt.

But these last weeks, I’ve come to wonder just how many blessings come to me every day which I forget to say thanks for. It’s struck me how much I normally take my freedoms and opportunities and options for granted. Not only that, I’ve been challenged about my thanklessness as I’ve watched the news and seen how much more difficult life in this pandemic is for the many people who live with much less than I do – less resources, less help, less community etc.  Are you the same as me in this?

Here’s a little exercise to help us see: How many blessings have come your way today – could you make a list? And then ask yourself – For how many of these things have I actually said “thank you”? 

Here’s a part of my list: the warm glow of sunshine on my back, the magnificent colours of autumn all around, the music I can play and sing along with, a good coffee, the heater that warms my house and the comfort of my puffy jacket when I’m out and about. Then there’s more personal things, like the laughter I shared with Cindy on our walk the other day, or the phone call I got from Claire which encouraged me. And then there’s the countless numbers of blessings I enjoy just because of where I live – e.g. my education, work, rights, opportunity to rest, technology to stay connected, freedom to choose, access to healthcare, and many others. When I stop and think about it, there are so many things. Yet, for many of these things I can’t remember the last time I stopped to say thanks.

So, I want to encourage you each today to do what I did: stop and think of the many things for which you can be thankful, and then go ahead say thanks for them! It might mean that you take a moment to write a card to your teacher or parents and say thanks for the hard work they are putting it to teach you at home. Perhaps you pick up the phone and call your boss or coach or tutor. Maybe you want to go bigger still and write a letter to the headmaster or our Prime Minister to say thanks to them for all the long hours they are putting in to help us at this time. And don’t forget to say thanks to God, who ultimately is the giver of every good thing! 

With thankfulness for being able to connect with you.

Rev Karen Reid

Girton Chaplain