Give Thanks
I have a confession to make. I’m still embarrassed to admit to something that I did almost thirty years ago.
I never sent the thank you notes to my wedding guests.
Our wedding stationery came as a package deal. There were invitations with matching envelopes, name cards for the reception tables, and thank you notes to send to family and friends who blessed us with gifts to help us begin our married life.
In the months after our wedding, I suffered from depression. Some days I struggled to get out of bed before my new husband was due home from work. Eventually, my wise and kind father worked out what was going on and told me to go to the doctor to get some help. Over time, the cloud lifted, and I began to function again.
In the meantime, the thank you notes waited. I did write some, but not one of them made it to the mail. After my first anniversary, the embarrassment of sending them so late was greater than the embarrassment of not sending them at all, and the whole box went into the bin.
I’ve never admitted that before. I’m still sorry today.
In Luke 17:11–19, we read about Jesus healing ten men with leprosy. The contagious disease meant the men were ostracised from their community and forced to live isolated from their families. They were unable to join in family gatherings or worship.
They called out to Jesus to have mercy, and Jesus, in His grace, healed them all. But that isn’t the end of the story.
One of the men, a Samaritan, came back. He found Jesus, bowed down at His feet, and thanked Him.
One out of the ten returned to say thank you.
I am working on being more thankful. Perhaps the regret from the wedding notes incident has taught me. Perhaps the wisdom that comes from experience is beginning to sink in. I now recognise that so much of what I enjoy is because of the sacrifice and generosity of others.
God, in His mercy, gave His Son for me.
My parents and grandparents gave me a legacy of faith and love.
My husband has loved me unconditionally for almost thirty years, providing a loving home for us to thrive as a couple and raise our family.
Our children have given me more joy than I can ever articulate.
The gifts of so many other family members and friends have enriched my life. I am truly blessed.
I don’t deserve it. I am not any smarter or hard-working or wiser than anyone else. I am the beneficiary of these gifts. And often, I, like the nine lepers, get on with my blessed life without taking the time to go back and express my thanks.
Today I want to say thank you.
