I like it,
when I give a gift,
and it’s acknowledged.

“Thank you” is recognition -
that you saw me,
and now I am seeing you.
I recognize that I have been given something.
And that something cost you something - money, time, energy, emotion.

“Thank you” fights the spirit of entitlement.
A gift is voluntary, it is an unearned endowment.
When I say the words, I acknowledge what has been gifted is grace.
You didn’t have to. You chose to. And you did it for me.


I like to give gifts to those who appreciate them.
I wonder if God feels the same way?

When is the last time I said “thank You” for the unearned endowment of breath and light and flowers and laughter and love and chocolate and Bibles and the ability to read them?
When is the last time I acknowledged Jesus?

Perhaps the most ungrateful recipient of gifts is the one who most quickly sees it in others.