Today is the 70th Anniversary of the historic D-Day - Allied
Forces invasion of Europe. The strategy, intensity and complexity of
that planned attack contributed to the ending of WW2 in 1945. The cost
was many American soldiers' lives, but the success was far reaching.
I'm
privileged to have a close friend who was a POW in WW2. I've thanked
him many times for his willingness to sacrifice for our country. With
tears, he's always responded, "It was my honor." He's in his early
nineties and the moments we are afforded in relationship are limited.
Our time together is filled with his accounts of the conquests and
failures of the war. I cherish what we share around coffee, stories and
God's Word. To have him as a friend and representation of the
"greatest generation" is an honor I will not soon forget.
When
I say THANK YOU to him, it is filled with much emotion about what I
know and even what I don't. But, I've learned that uttering those words
is the least that I can say when we are together. And, that expression
of appreciation softens his heart and warms our relationship.
Expressing
thanks is huge in every arena of life. When we take the time to say
THANK YOU, even for the smallest acts of generosity, we open ourselves
up to what life is all about - GIVING. Ignoring the kindnesses of a cup
of coffee, a lunch or a gift in the mail is ultimately assuming it was
deserved. The opposite of gratitude is
entitlement. And, that is an ugly way of living. When we are only thankful for the larger things in life,
we limit life in all of its fullness, because what we share together on
this earth is about the small gestures here and there.
So,
pause today and thank your family member for making the breakfast, your
friend for meeting you for lunch, your employer for the job
opportunity, or a veteran for their sacrifice for our freedom. And, if
you are on the receiving in of that thanks, please..., please...say
YOU'RE WELCOME!
No comments:
Post a Comment