Merci. Danke. Gracias. Xiexie. Grazie. Mahalo. Toda. Each of these words represent a unique people group, a culture, wishing to express one simple thing…Thanks!

Before I even began teaching my children their ABC’s or how to count to 10, I was teaching them to say “please” and “thank you”. Common courtesies that really aren’t so common. I hope we never lose the capacity, or the good manners, to pause even for a few seconds, to look someone in the eye and tell them “thank you”. In that little expression a whole conversation could be shared. Gratitude for a kindness shown, or ‘you noticed me!’ It could mean ‘I appreciate your service’. It could even mean ‘I was feeling overwhelmed and you have no idea how much what you did means to me.’ Thank you.

I think we all tend to walk around in our own little world much of the time. We’ve got a lot of responsibility, a lot of things on our minds. When we stop to say thank you to someone, for even a few brief seconds, we open the door of our little world to see someone else in their little world. And aren’t we supposed to be mindful of each other?! Romans 12:13 describes it well. “When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.”

“Thank you” can help to open that door!