This Is the Thanks I Get

 This Is the Thanks I Get

(This was published in a newsletter in Nov. 2005)

             When I take on a task it should be without regard as to what the reward will be or how much appreciation will be shown.  When the "thanks I get," becomes more of a concern than accomplishing the task, I am being selfish.

             At this time of year we are reminded, not of thanks-getting, but of thanks-giving.  I certainly have many reasons for giving thanks to God. There are the blessings of my family, friends, the church community, opportunities to serve God, and on, and on, and on.

             Aside from thanking our Lord, I also have reasons to give thanks to those around me. The people in our lives do things to help us, whether intentionally or not, and those are chances for us to show our appreciation. I sometimes get so busy (though I let myself get into those situations) that I easily overlook the need or chance to say "thank you!" or pass up the opportunity to show my appreciation. It is important to remember that "Thank you!" goes a long way in building good relationships.

             I am striving to be better at giving thanks. I've also discovered that when I am more giving and willing to share, God blesses me in many ways. I don't know that this is God's reward system, but I think that in giving and sharing I am also opening a part of my life. I then realize the hand of God reaching in, with a loving touch, to bless me even more.

             Another area in which I am sorely lacking is offering thanks to God. In fact, God could be asking the title question, "This is the thanks I get?" of me. I try to remember to thank God, but I still feel like I could do so much more.

             This month we will celebrate Thanksgiving. I can remember many times that I've sat down to Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends and had such an awkward feeling. The strangeness was because I had barely been thankful in my words and infrequently thankful in my actions.

             I should not look at Thanksgiving as an occasion, rather I should practice it as a way of life. In that way thanks-giving would actually become thanks-living.  I know my world changes because I am the one who is changed; and maybe others are changed as a result also.

     At a recent conference a speaker told us "We don't just give because there is a need.  We give because we need to give."

     Memo to myself (To Do Item):  This is the thanks I give!!!

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!