There are two little words that can have a big impact in a positive way… “Thank You”. It is refreshing to me, that at the recent Country Music Awards that the Song of the Year was “Be Humble and Kind.” Saying the words “Thank You”, and the attitude and actions of showing “Kindness” are increasingly disappearing from our culture. There has been a slow erosion over time and unfortunately it has become accepted as normal. Our world has become fragmented in big ways but also in small ways. We have become a people so obsessed with success that we are forgetting the importance of love, respect and kindness. It also seems, at the same time, we have become so cynical and critical of everything and everybody.

But all of that does not diminish the importance of being thankful and giving thanks or encouraging others in some other way. Dr. Albert Scweitzer, a famous musician, pastor, and missionary medical doctor stated this…”In everyone’s life, at sometime, our inner fire goes out. It is then it is burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.” Everyone needs a little spark of encouragement from time to time. 

A little “thank you” or expression of encouragement can go a long way in helping someone. Centuries ago, Aesop described it this way, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” Even the famous humorist Mark Twain said…”I can live two months off a good compliment.”

Being thankful and giving thanks should not be limited to one day of the year in November. ..It should be an everyday occurrence and habit for us…

“Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18(MSG)

 Let’s be kind and thankful and reflect God’s love and encourage someone each day…

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever” – Psalm 107:1 (NLT)