By Deacon “G”
Sometimes we need to ask ourselves, “When was the last time I thanked someone for doing something special for me?”
We each have many needs. They may be spiritual, physical, psychological, financial or social. Most of these we are capable of providing for ourselves on a daily basis. But there comes a time in our lives when each of us requires that someone else becomes part of the process and lends a helping hand. Often this happens “just in the nick of time” i.e., right before we’re about to give up.
It might be just a little thing: the touch of a hand, a word of encouragement, help with a project at home, or just knowing that they are praying for us. It might require more effort or items of value such as loaning us money, introducing us to a key job contact, giving us a gift or helping us through a long-term care issue.
At times we are quite surprised from where our aid comes. It could be a stranger, a co-worker, or even someone who we were estranged from or thought they would be the last person who would ever help us or from whom we would ever ask help.The Lord works in strange and mysterious ways and it seems that there are situations where “angels” just come out of nowhere and bring us comfort, compassion, consolation or closure.
Most of us would agree that “A friend in need is a friend indeed.” But do we know what it takes to keep this friend? I suggest that one key is to give proper thanks.
While true friends help us without expectation of reward, correct manners beg us to acknowledge the benefit we’ve received. Failure to do so, could subject us to alienation or might make it less likely that we will receive assistance in the future.
Proper thanks can take many forms. I believe all acknowledgments, at a minimum, begin with saying “thanks” when we receive the blessing. It might even be accompanied by a hug. A warm embrace says more than a thousand words. If a hug doesn’t seem appropriate, a firm handshake is the next best substitute. Never underestimate the power of human touch.
Another way to offer thanks is by giving our friend a gift. Gifts that seem to have the most meaning are ones that we ourselves make. This is because not only did our money go into the cost of the materials, but our time and skills lend more value to the finished product. We have to put some thought into coming up with an idea for something the receiver will appreciate.
Still even when we offer a gift, we must take the time to say thanks, for “Like dew that abates a burning wind, so does a word improve a gift. Sometimes the word means more than the gift; both are offered by a kindly man.” (Sirach 18:15-16)
Some of us may not have the skills to create a gift, but we can offer something of equal value. We can give our friend an “IOU” acknowledging the phantom debt and offering to return the favor, on demand. While the IOU might never be exercised, the thought on our part will be appreciated.
Finally, since we all have needs that we might not even express to our closest friends, we can promise to offer our prayers for whatever needs our friend holds in the silence of his heart. We can tell him that we will ask God to bless him in the same way that he has blessed us. This type of payback is often cherished more than any tangible gift.Let’s all take the time to give someone a special thank you today!
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