Growing up we were taught a number of things. When our girls were growing up we taught them several things. Sadly, many do not teach them anymore. I heard it tonight at a meeting called Owen After Hours which the Owen County Chamber of Commerce sponsored.  I was working the greeting table. And I heard it. And it wasn’t even prompted by her mom.

There is a new mom (and family) whose daughter calls us Mamaw Jo and Grandpa Bill. Okay, she hasn’t quite said those words yet but she does know who we are. She is about 13-14 months old. She is being taught these two things.

What are they?

When you want something you say the “magic word.”  Which is?  PLEASE.

When something is given to you, you say the other magic phrase (2 words). Which is?  THANK YOU.

Forgotten words by many kids. Let me rephrase that. Forgotten words my many adults and children. Does it really take that much breath to say “Thank you” when I hold the door open for someone? I was taught that men do those kinds of things.

Is it too much to say “Please” when you want something? Instead of just “give me” as though someone is entitled to it!

My sermon series over the next 3 weeks is going to take a look at Thanks. Gratitude is fast becoming a lost art. The whole thing with contentment and being thankful for having our needs met is often discarded for the desire for more and of thinking, “This is mine!”

Maybe, just maybe, I can help us to become a bit more thankful along the way. This week is using Luke 17: 11-19 as the basis for “I’m Thankful for His Provision.”

Here’s something to think about, something I read:

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”