Give Thanks

Few days ago I met and hanged out with this particular friend. We chatted and shared quite some stuff over meal. One thing that she touched on was regarding being thankful and learn how to appreciate. Sometimes it is indeed hard for us to expect someone to at least show their heart of appreciation. Being thankful and to appreciate somebody’s help or contribution is not an innate ability or inborn nature of a person but again, it’s a process of learning.

Undeniably, often, we especially Chinese feel awkward to say “Thanks for your help”. Many times, we are conscious and it is not that we forget but we tend to. We just refuse to express. Her sharing has inspired me to be more sensitive towards my daily living, be more caring about others’ needs and desires, and as a reminder to give thanks and appreciate people around me. To further substantiate the fact, I would like to give you guys a situation that I believe many people face in their relationships.

A and B are close friends. As time goes by, they choose to take a little step further. In their relationship, A has been contributing, advising, caring and I should say being very faithful and devoted to B. Of course B has been pouring out and playing his part. A chooses to be patient and understand B more. A wants to mould and build up B slowly. A wants B to be a betterman. We know that all gals long to be loved and cared. They want to be protected. They are seeking for security in their respective dictionary. That’s why they need a guy and that’s why relationship exists. The reason is to believe. However, A feels that B rarely shows his heart of appreciation. He takes most things for granted and that makes A feels disappointed and not to mention, sad. Man, if you know B, please give him a WHACK in his big ass and if I were B, tell me that “Hey hoe, I know you will not be B”. Give me a slap in my face then. Please think of ways to butter her corn. Be her sweetener.

Sit down, lay back and reminisce, recall back how much our Heavenly Father has been caring and loving for us. Count His abundant blessings. How many times have we sinned against Him and done things unpleasing to His eyes yet He still forgives us? Are we still hating someone? Are we still cursing someone? Being jealous for what others possess? Ashamed of being not as good as others? Do I still enjoy being self-centered and worship egoism? Have I been giving and be a blessing to the people around me? Having secret affair outside relationship or courtship? Look down and jeer at the poor? Refuse to be optimistic and losing hope in Christ? Driving recklessly on the road and a threat to others? Are we still taking things for granted? In short, where is our testimony?

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Timothy 4:12 says, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”

So, we as the soldiers of Christ, Awake and Arise!