Thanksgiving

Have you ever done anyone a favor and felt surprised, even offended maybe, when the recipient of that favor didn’t extend you the courtesy of two simple words – thank you. It could have been something as simple as holding a door open for someone. You didn’t do it for the thank you. Neither receiving nor not being thanked is going to make a difference to your life one way or the other. However, when someone just breezes by without even remotely acknowledging your presence it gives you pause for thought. What are the chances that you will do this individual another favor ungrudgingly?

For that matter, how many times have we felt hurt when someone for whom you did many favors insulted you for not doing one simple thing right? The hurt increases if you were not even at fault for the way things turned out. Probably, the person hurling insults at you right now is solely responsible for how things turned out.

Now let’s look at ourselves and compare our lives to those around us. How fortunate we are! But do we thank our maker for the many blessings showered on us!

When I see the sheer lack of order and discipline around me, I wonder why I couldn’t have been born in a better place. When I drive on bad roads I curse the government. When the coffee machine at the office is not working, I crib about the ineptness of the management. When I face what seems like a setback in my career or see my bank account balance dipping towards the ‘below poverty line’ within days of receiving the paycheck, it gives me even more reasons to blame fate and God, and the entire humanity. And almost of all this happens on a regular basis driving up my stress and blood pressure.

I forget that I have a car to drive comfortably to the office. I forget that most people would wish they had a job like mine in a cushy air conditioned office. Free coffee would be a luxury to 90% of the world. I forget that I am fortunate to be born in a country which is not overrun by militants, and terrorists, and other lunatic elements. I live in one of the largest democracies, which allows me the luxury to crib about the government instead of being given special treatment in an underground torture chamber.

I rarely ever thank my god for these blessings. If I were god I would have disowned this ingrate me a long time back. How can I then expect this God to continue being so wonderful to me when I never take a moment to thank him for all that he has done.

The sheer number of times the bible asks us to give thanks and be grateful is probably an indicator of the one things God desires of us. All the successful men and women in the bible were those who always broke down and cried when they were convicted of their sins. These select few also gave abundant thanks to the Lord for his blessings and mercies.

But that one small thing I continue to deny God. To give thanks is a commandment, not a nice to have that god wishes of us. Help me God to obey this commandment each day, every moment.