Send A Thank You Card

Many years ago I read somewhere that sending a thoughtful, hand-written thank you note is one of the most precious and powerful gifts that we can give to someone who has positively impacted our life. I know this to be true because my most prized possession is a faded black photo album with folding and tattered edges that contains dozens of cards, letters, and emails that I have received across the years from a diverse group of people testifying to the difference that I’ve made in their lives. Whenever my faith dims or my inspiration wanes, drinking from the waters of this stream revives and rekindles my spirit.

One of the reasons that receiving thank you letters is such a precious and powerful gift is that so many people are ungrateful. Notice that I said that my prized photo album contains dozens of cards, letters, and emails. But I know that I have personally helped hundreds and touched thousands. But the ratio of those that you help to those that say thank you is always miniscule. Consider the testimony of Jesus to this fact. On one occasion, ten lepers came to him requesting a miracle. His instructions were to go present themselves to the priest in the temple.  Off they went, and the scriptures says that “as they went, they were healed.” Then, the scripture adds this unfortunate coda:

One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? (Luke 17:15-17)

This is one of the few times in scripture when you can sense the frustration of Jesus. Even more exasperating was the fact that the only man who said thank you was a non-religious Samaritan! You would think that the religious majority would be the most appreciative and the most inclined to express their gratitude for the miracle that they had received. But I have learned that often the people who you think should be the most appreciative also unfortunately turn out to be the most entitled and the most ungrateful.

Jesus’ second question is worth pondering. “Where were the other nine?” What happened to them? What explains their failure to return and express their thanks? A very imaginative preacher of another century offered a humorous reply to the question, He said that:

Leper #1 waited to see if the cure was real. He doubted the miracle.

Leper #2 wondered why it took so long. He felt as though he deserved the miracle.

Leper #3 said he never had leprosy in the first place. He denied the miracle.

Leper #4 said he was would have gotten well anyway. He dismissed the miracle.

Leper #5 said Jesus didn't really do anything. He minimized the miracle.

Leper #6 said, I'll come back later after I tell everybody. He marketed the miracle.

Leper #7 said how he gonna heal me of leprosy and not pay my bills? He cheapened the miracle.

Leper #8 said my healing doesn’t look like everyone else's miracle! He complained about the miracle.

And Leper #9 gave glory to the priest. He gave credit to the wrong source.

Only one said thank you.

The Apostle Paul wrote 14 of the 21 letters that comprise our New Testament. But I wonder if he ever wrote a thank you letter to Ananias, the man who God used to give him his divine assignment and clarify his purpose.

Do me a favor: sit down this weekend, and make a list of everyone who has impacted your life in a powerful and positive way. Then go buy a pack of cards, and write them a personalized thank you.

It will bless them.  

And you!