Thankfulness did not start—as many Americans think—with the Pilgrims. Meister Eckart didn’t start it either, but way back at the end of the 12th Century as a Dominican preacher he is remembered for saying “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” I guess those words were pretty powerful since people have been quoting him for 800 years.
Thank You are two very powerful words. According to wordsmiths, the English word “thank” derives from the word “think”. So the saying used to mean “I will remember what you did”.
But maybe the first thank you is one that shows up in Luke 17. Ten people suffering from leprosy asked Jesus to heal them and Jesus tells them to receive a blessing from the priests, and they will be healed. Nine of the ten never come to say thank you. But one, the one who is a Samaritan and not even of the same religion as Jesus, remembers to come back and to thank Jesus for the gift of life. Just one.
What more have we received? When you open your eyes in the morning, and the sun has just come up, you are alive because of the grace of God. As you move through this world and experience the sensation of time, the sensation of love, the sensation of wisdom—these are the gifts from God. These are the big things. When you sit in the sure knowledge of your identity as a loved and redeemed child of God, that is when you know true and princely treasure. You are created by God. You are called by God to work—even as did Jesus—with those whose beliefs differ from yours.
So, as we join together to eat turkey and pie this week, let’s remember the one man who was grateful. The one man who came to Jesus and remembered to say “thank you”. To say “I will think of what you’ve done”. And then take one more step. Make a private gratitude list and say “thank you” to everyone on it. Being grateful is a choice.
So today, I choose to make a list and I start with you. Thank you to all who read this blog and work to Unite Indy. I will remember what you did.
Blessings,
Nancy
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