Most children are taught very early on to say thank you when someone does something for them. Thank you notes were written after birthdays and holidays to show gratitude for what was received.
As we’ve grown older saying “thank you” has become a phrase seldom said. This is due to a chronic condition within our society that has crippled the level of gratitude in our lives. So many live with the mentality of the more they have the better they are.
Just walk into any store this weekend and I can guarantee you’ll run into someone who will be mean to you or someone else when it comes to their shopping experience. Shoppers and sales clerks alike will give off an aura of ungratefulness.
I thought the holiday season was about peace on earth and goodwill to men? When did it become more about who gets to the stores first to get the highly coveted item someone in your life has to have or else?
It may sound silly, but before I go out to shop anywhere I pray and ask God to help me be humble, to say “thank you,” and to have His eyes to see someone who might need a little touch of Him. If the Lord has truly blessed you in any way, which you can agree we are all blessed in many ways, share His love and blessing in your life with others.
God not only blesses, but He keeps you—watches over and takes care of you. If you truly believe and are rooted in this thought, you know that no matter the hardships you face He will always take care of you. This will then spill out of your life as you share the hope in Jesus that you have with others because He cares for them too.
As you live your life to honor Him, His glorious face will shine upon you and always continue to be gracious to you. When He turns His face toward you, the peace that passes all understanding will fill you to overflowing. This is all where peace on earth and goodwill to all men comes in.
Jesus is the Prince of Peace and lives by the thought of interest, concern, and love toward others. As Christians, we are to aim to be more like Christ. He loves God and others and so should we. He cares for the lowly, lonely, and left out and so should we.
Do you see a pattern here? Gives thanks to God and say “thank you” to others. How can you show thanks and gratitude to others as you shop and interact this holiday season?
