Thank You

Thank You

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

“Thanks,” said Les.

I had just handed him a stack of mail I picked up at his office. “You bet,” I replied without giving it a second thought.

“No, I mean it—thank you,” Les said with all seriousness. “It was really thoughtful of you to pick up my mail and bring it home. You didn’t have to do it, and I appreciate it.”

It’s always nice to be around somebody who’s grateful. Cicero, the Roman philosopher, said, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.” When a person is grateful—when he or she has an attitude of gratitude—he or she becomes a better person.

Saying “thank you” tends to diminish over the years of marriage as we take each other more for granted. One group of social scientists discovered that the phrases shhh, and what’s on are more common in most homes than thank you.

Scripture abounds with encouragement to be thankful: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15, NIV). “Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light” (Colossians 1:12, NIV). “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6, NASB). The apostle Paul advised the church at Thessalonica: “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1Thessalonians 5:18, NIV). Scripture also tells us that thankfulness is a prerequisite for worship: “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful.” (Psalm 100:4, NKJV).

So keep the attitude of gratitude alive in your marriage. Cultivate it by looking for things to appreciate in your partner each day. After all, gratitude really is the parent of all virtues.^a

Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone.

—G. B. Stern

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