Thankfulness

I spoke in elementary chapel at Calvary Christian school a couple of weeks ago (see May 18) and received a packet of thank you notes from the kids this past week.  I really enjoy cards from children; they are so honest and sweet.  But they had to have a prompt to write thank you notes.  Their teacher, Darleen B. gave them the idea and the children eagerly made the cards.  When children receive a gift, they must be prompted to say, “thank you”.  It’s not in our human nature to be thankful; thankfulness must be taught.  Many children today are given things and are not made to say, “thank you”.  These children grow up feeling entitled, thinking that the world owes them.  But children who are prompted to say “thank you” grow up grateful.  The same is true of our country.  Today is Memorial Day.  Have you thanked a Veteran for their service to our country?  You are living in a free country where you can do what you want to do on Memorial Day and be what you want to be for the rest of your life.  But that freedom was paid for by a Veteran.  So, how are you behaving?  Are you entitled or are you thankful?  Does your country owe you something, or do you owe gratefulness to others?  David said in Psalm 100:4, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”  Thank the dear Lord today for your freedom.  And go by the National Cemetery on Holtzclaw Avenue and see the 55,000 graves decorated with 55,000 American flags.  Better yet, take a child with you and both of you can be thankful.  You’re never too old to learn.