A Little Goes A Long Way

        I arrived for my final day of subbing for the year and found both chocolate and a thank you note on top of the lesson plans for the day!  It was a simple note that expressed appreciation for the days I had spent in her class and a wish for a restful summer break - with the added hope that I'd be available to sub for her again in the Fall.  While anyone who knows me knows that the chocolate was a super treat, the note meant even more.  It's rare that someone who is "just a sub" gets acknowledged, unless there's a problem!
       This teacher's thoughtfulness reminded me of how little time it takes to express gratitude and how much it means to the receiver.  Thank you notes take just a few minutes to write and only a few cents to mail, and yet their impact is huge. In this day of email, texting, cell phones, Facebook,....a hand-written note to thank someone for a job well done or for a gift given is almost a lost activity - life is just so instant and rushed!  And yet to know that someone took the time to think of and write a note adds a whole different perspective.  It's Personal, in an increasingly impersonal world.  It's wrapping paper on a gift rather than giving the gift hurriedly in its store bag! And while I do believe that it's the thought that counts, I think it is even more appreciated when there's more thought put into it.
       Jesus healed 10 lepers and yet only one, a Samaritan, came back to thank Him. Jesus asked where the other 9 were...and honored the one for his show of gratitude. (Luke 17:12-19)
       The Apostle Paul frequently thanked God for those who helped him, contributed to his support, or stood by him. (2 Thess. 1:3, as an example)
       We are told to give honor, credit, or thanks to those to whom it is due. We are also told to show appreciation to those who work for us or with us. (1 Thess. 5:11-13)
       Take the time to think of those people who have impacted your life, ministry, or work and write a note to let them know. Life is so short that we often don't show our gratitude until it's too late. A eulogy is nice, but expressing appreciation to the person while they can receive it is so much nicer.