How Many Thanks?

One of my favorite obscure verses in the Bible is Philippians 1:3. Paul simply states, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” It is a simple statement but it is one that has come to have significant meaning for me. Since I was a young minister it is one of the verses that I often write next to my signature if I’m signing a card or something important for someone to keep. I like to think that every person has made some impact on my life and I try to recognize their importance through thanksgiving.

Recently I was looking through some cards on mindfulness (the act of focusing on the things immediately around you) and the card was labeled “Thank You.” The suggestion was to think about all the people who made certain things happen. For instance when you drink a cup of coffee there are likely hundreds of people who made that cup happen--going all the way back to those who planted the trees to the people who picked the beans to the people who processed, packaged, and sold the coffee. But we rarely take the time to notice that hundreds contributed to such a small part of our day.

Imagine that we did that with every single thing in our day. Who cut and assembled the bed on which you slept, the sheets and blankets with which you covered up, and the pillow on which you laid your head? Who ran the water line to your house, fashioned the sink, cabinets, and faucets? Who made your silverware and plates?

How many people are responsible for the breakfast you made? Who raised the chickens that laid the eggs, the hogs that provided the sausage and bacon, and the cows that provided the milk? How many people were a part of building your car? Even further, how many people are involved in drilling, producing, transporting, and supplying gasoline on which that car runs.

The list goes on. From those who made the paper and pencil that allows you to do your work, to the ones who produced the basketballs, baseballs, softballs, and volleyballs that provide hours of entertainment. We literally have anywhere from hundreds to millions of people for whom to be thankful. We live in a privileged society where we can turn on a faucet and it atomically gives us water. Comfort has come to be expected and, in turn, unappreciated.

So today take the time to look around you and think of all the people who contributed to make your day comfortable. Of course we can all start with God who made all things (1 Timothy 6:17). Who else might you need to whisper a sincere “thank you” to in your heart. Those people may never hear you say it, but your heart will be blessed by the gratitude you introduced to it.

Ben