Be Grateful, Not Entitled: Always Say Thank You

In my last post, Be Grateful, Not Entitled: Serve Without Expecting Thanks, I encouraged Christian teens to do just that. Now, however, it’s going to seem like I’m doing a complete reversal of my own advice by telling you to always say thank you to everyone who serves you. I don’t just mean thanking someone for something outstanding—like gifting you a car, paying your college tuition, or saving you from a stampeding herd of cattle.

Thanks is due in all situations, from the smallest act of kindness to the people whose service you’ve come to expect like clockwork.

Why is it important to always say thank you?

4 Reasons Why You Should Always Say Thank You

1) Saying thanks at the bottom helps you say thanks at the top.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18

God not only wants you to have a thankful heart, he commands it in this verse. He wants you to recognize the blessings he has given you, from the small to the large, because he knows that a thankful heart is a healthy and happy heart. But it’s more difficult to be appreciative of God’s greatest gift (namely, Christ’s sacrifice) if you’re not even thankful for the little things people do for you everyday. No act of service is too small to be recognized.

Related: 7 Truths Christian Teens Can Thank God For

2) Showing your appreciation builds others up.

“And we urge you…encourage the disheartened...” 

1 Thessalonians 5:14

It’s hard to do a thankless job, and while you should always serve without expecting a reward, not receiving any appreciation at all can be disheartening for those who serve you.

Are you still living at home? When was the last time you thanked your mother (or whoever else fills this role) for cooking you a meal, washing your clothes, and serving you chicken soup when you’re sick?

Have you ever thanked your coach or teachers for sharing their knowledge, or your coworkers for doing their part?

What about the janitor that cleans the bathrooms? 

If you’re still having trouble feeling appreciative, just imagine what your life would be like if all those people disappeared. 

3) Showing your appreciation will strengthen your relationships.

Every relationship you have, whether it be with your coworkers, classmates, friends, siblings, parents, or dating partner, will grow if you continually show your appreciation for the other person. Just feeling thankful in your heart is not enough, you need to always say thank you out loud. 

4) For better service, always say thank you.

I’ve put this last because this should be the last reason you say thanks, but it is a truism. I’ve worked in the service industry as a waitress, a store clerk, a housekeeper, and a bank teller (not all at once), and I can verify that you will get better service if you are kind and appreciative.

That doesn’t mean that I didn’t serve my grumpy, demanding customers well. But the ones who treated me well and said thank you got a more personalized experience, and always with a smile. It’s okay to enjoy the benefits of gratitude.

Different Ways to Say Thank You:

1. Just say thanks! 
2. Write a thank-you note. A note takes a little more thought that a verbal thanks and shows that you really mean it.
3. Give a gift. Consider giving your teachers, your bus driver, your mail carrier, even the UPS driver who frequents your house a token of appreciation. Buy your mother flowers just to show you appreciate her, do an extra chore to say thanks to your dad for the things he does for you.
4. Acknowledge that person publicly. The next time you sit down with your family for supper, announce that you really appreciated your brother doing your chores for you when you were sick. To thank someone in a more public setting, consider writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.
5. Return the favor. Find a way to serve the one who served you.
6. Pay it forward. Suppose someone does something for you in anonymity, and now you can’t thank him or her. Show the same kindness to someone else.
7. Pray. Thank God in all circumstances.

A show of appreciation should not be reserved for special occasions. Always say thank you, and do it happily!

More on Gratitude

• A Heart of Gratitude: More Than Just Thanksgiving Day
• Life Got You Down? Thank God For Forever!
• The Power of Gratitude (article from Biblewise)