To not do so is a sin-yes? Regularly, I mail “Thank You” cards and letters to friends, Pastors and Churches for their kindness to our family and ministry. This is a neglected and lost art. I can name just recently wedding and baby gifts we have given and not a word from the recipients.Why? What has happened?
In everything give thanks and practice writing a card to say so. By the way, people often sacrifice greatly to bestow a gift and blessing upon us. Don’t take it for granted.
Thanksgiving is at the very foundation of the United States of America. Our government ruined and run schools have suppressed the spiritual heritage of this nation and the heart of thanksgiving those early pioneers and pilgrims had for our Lord’s blessings. The revisionist has put his pen to lies. Sadly, children are deceived and many never know the true history and Heritage of the USA.
The apostle Paul made it clear that those wicked without excuse were not thankful.
In this "techy," many times we are quick to just send a text or type a generalized note on facebook or other social media. The world has made it easy to send an e-card or even an e-gift certificate. Cash gifts are at our finger tips with Cashapp, Venmo, and Paypal. While all these are certainly options, no doubt better-than-nothing, and probably very appreciated by the recipient, they are still quite impersonal and lack the sincere, authentic touch of a handwritten thank-you. Face it - a handwritten note takes time, preparation, thought, and even some monetary investment. It is a personal touch, and as they say in today's world, it is the personal touch that makes all the difference. If that were not so, then all those start-up businesses would not take the time and expense to add a personal note and special ribbon and gift-wrapping when packaging your order!
Someone said, "God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say 'thank you'? Yes, it may take an additional few seconds to write that note of gratitude. It cannot be accomplished with a click, but neither can it be kept in a memory box, in the pages of Bible, or even within the caverns of the file cabinet if it is simply sent in an electronic format. No doubt, historical accounting could not manage the record keeping of untold thousands of words that have been written and then savored and re-read by the recipient. Your seconds of thanks, hand-written, can live on as encouragement and remembrance for years to come.
"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present
and not giving it."
Here are some tips for the hand-written "Thank-You."
- Keep a supply of cards on-hand.
- Keep postage stamps, pens, envelopes, etc. available for when needed.
- Start by addressing the person in a friendly manner.
- Be sure to remind the person of the reason you are writing the thank-you.
- Tell the person why their act of kindness meant so much to you.
- Sign the card in a sincere way, including your full name (unless it is clearly stated on the envelope).
- Make it personal.
- Write it soon following the event. The longer you wait, the less effect; however, later is better than never.
- Write neatly and legibly.
- Proof read your note.
- Keep in mind that the quality of the card may reflect the substance of the Thank-you.
When should you ALWAYS send a thank-you note?
- After Wedding or Graduation or Accomplishment gifts
- After a job interview or recommendation
- After sympathy gifts or services rendered during a difficult time (It is perfectly acceptable for a family member or friend to assist in sending these notes.)
- After a dinner or stay in someone's house
- After a monetary or labor-giving gift
It is dangerous and destructive not to be thankful. In everything and every day be thankful!
No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.
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