Growing up as a child my mom was very strict with us.
She always said that she never wants to be embarrassed by us and that three words will take us a long way in life… please and thank you!
In later years it was my turn to teach my children the three magic words. I can still remember the nursery song.
When you see something you want
What's the magic word?
Hmm, please, please, please
When you get something you want
What's the magic word?
Hmm, thank you, thank you, thank you
One thing mom also taught us was never to expect something in return.
Thank you…
A couple of weeks ago I met a couple through my husband. When he was looking for a place to store his boat he was referred to them. For a fee each month he could store his boat at their place. I went with him the day he took the boat to there.
We then had to hear how they lost all their belongings during the floods South Africa experienced in April last year and that without them having insurance to cover the loss. The two of them had to start all over again at the age of 60. Not an easy task at that age.
We invited them to supper. That is how our friendship started with two remarkable people. Two people who live for the love of other people.
For many years they live in Mozambique teaching and supporting the people of the country. The stories they told us had us sitting on the edge of our chairs while feeling like crying.
We had our big move last week. It was a week that left us exhausted. Not only was it from the extreme heat that we are currently experiencing that got the better of us but also the cleaning, the move, the unpacking, etc.
Yesterday afternoon we just wanted to relax and decided to phone this couple to come over for pizza under the trees in the courtyard.
They arrived with a home-welcoming gift. I took it and put it on the dining room table without opening it. It was only later in the evening when I went back indoors to make coffee for us that I took the gift and open it.
The gift consisted of six items.
A Card
A packet of bread flour
A packet of salt
A jar of honey
A bottle of olive oil and
A packet of candles
It was when I read the card that I burst into tears.
“Congratulations on your new home.
Our wishes to you,
Bread, so that you may never experience hunger
Salt, to add flavor to your lives
Honey, for the sweetness of life
Light and oil, may God always fill your lamps so that you can continue to be light to others
Thank you! We appreciate your friendship.”
Two little words that stood out… thank you!
How do I ever say thank you to these two wonderful people?
Little do they know that these words made me realize that I don’t say thank you enough.
I don’t say thank you to my stepson for carrying the groceries out of the car, no I moan for not keeping his room tidy.
I don’t say thank you to my husband for working late at night, I moan when I have to pick up his clothes from the floor the next morning.
I don’t thank my God for what he gave me that day, no I ask Him to be with me the next day.
My friends… thank you can go a long way. Don’t let it pass your lips.
THANK YOU!
