As far back as I can remember my sister and I
said “please” and “thank you” and “yes, ma’am” and “yes, sir.” Good manners
were as natural to us as breathing, but astonished strangers in the grocery
store used to ask my mom if they could buy me and my sister treats as a reward
for our conduct. At the time I was barely out of diapers, and apparently my
seemingly atypical actions had a significant impact on those around me. Mom declined
their generosity, believing we should learn to “do right” simply because it was
the right thing to do. Besides teaching us to use good manners in our speech, she
and Daddy insisted we write thank-you notes to friends and relatives for gifts
and special deeds of kindness. While my parents also modeled the behaviors they
expected from my sister and me, they never explained their reasoning; perhaps the
root of it all were the expectations of our ultra-polite Southern heritage. But
I think their actions, words, and instruction also stemmed from their deep
faith. They often reminded us that whatever we did in life, whether it was
obeying them or our teachers or doing homework or chores, we should act as if
we were doing those things for God (Colossians 3:17, 23). And by saying grace
before meals, they taught us that humility and gratitude should be an integral
part of our faith and our relationship with the Lord.
Jesus Himself sets the example for all of us
by offering thanks to God the Father in many circumstances. Matthew 15:36
records Jesus giving thanks to God for the bread and fish He broke before the
miracle of feeding the 5,000. The gospel of John records Jesus as thanking God
for hearing His prayers just before He calls Lazarus back from the dead. (John 11:41-43).
Jesus even showed how we should give thanks in the worst of circumstances when
He thanked God for the bread of the Passover and shared it with the disciples,
telling them it represented His body that would be broken within hours by a Roman
scourging and cross. (Matt. 26:26) With such a selfless example of gratitude, it’s
no wonder the United Methodist word of service and communion for “The Great
Thanksgiving” includes the exhortation:
“Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is right, and a good and joyful thing,
always and everywhere to give thanks to you,
Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.”
