The Value Of Thank You
(18) Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
There was once a famous writer and poet named Rudyard Kipling. He was a man of great success in his lifetime. With many writers success comes long after they are dead and gone. But not with Kipling. Writing for him was very profitable and he was able to enjoy his success while he lived.
A reporter once approached Mr. Kipling and said something like, “Sir, I just read that someone calculated that the money you make from your writings amounts to over a hundred dollars a word.” Kipling replied with curious gesture and replied, “Really? I wasn’t aware of that.” The reporter then reached into his pocket, pulled out a hundred dollar bill and held it toward Kipling and said, “Here is a hundred dollars. Now give me one of your hundred dollar words.” As Kipling stood there, he took the money, folded it up and put it in his pocket. With an eye to eye stare, he simply replied, “Thanks.”
Of all the things God ask of us, a simple “Thank You” is one that is repeated over and over in the Scriptures.
We often fail to see and understand the circumstances of life and give in to their negative properties. When things are going well, we often tend to give ourselves the credit, lifting up our talents and accomplishments. When things are not so good, most often we look for someone or some circumstance to blame.
Gratitude is not a matter of circumstance. It is a matter of choice. There is no time when difficulties will not be a part of our lives. God never promised that we would be free from them. But He did promise that He would be our strength to get through them.
We have little trouble being thankful for things that we deem great in our lives, but it is often another story when they are not so great.
It is not the great and wonderful things that define us. It is the troublesome things that make us grind through life and trust God more. It is those things that bring us grief and hardship that sharpen us and humble us.
The most difficult of all things to be thankful for is difficult times. But James said, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into manifold temptations.”
I want to use this hundred dollar word of Mr. Kipling’s more often. Not because I want a hundred dollars. But because I want to put a smile on the face of my Awesome Father and reflect His image to those who see life differently.