"The Thank You"

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Everyone says it and so do you
You hear it in the office, on the streets, in church, in the market
It's either music in your ears each day or sarcasm to you

Growing up as an Akuapem, saying please and thank you was and has been an everyday thing
Even when you don't feel like it, it's just wrapped around your tongue
And your schema has a good memory; it keeps reminding you to say "Thank you".

Thank you is said for many reasons
Some say Thank you for a good gesture shown by others
Others say Thank you for a present received
Some also say thank you because they are forced to or find themselves in a situation
And some say thank you just to remind you to be careful;
The sarcastic "Thank you"
The "Thank you" with a serious facial expression and unwelcoming smile.

But, Wait, Is "Thank you" supposed to be said without sincerity?
Should it be uttered only when what we wish for is visible?
Or when we are happy with an outcome?

For me, who was trained with "Thank You", there have been a lot of times I said it because I had to, not because I meant it
I believe you equally find yourself doing the same.

Looking at the world, the older generation will say the young lack manners, values, ethics and decency
Especially when it comes to "Thank you", "please" and "I am sorry"

Let me tell you a story

Last week, two boys between 10 and 12 years old were called by my mom to come for plantain husk since that was what they do after school to make some money.
When they were done collecting the husk, a lady asked, "Won't you say thank you?" The boys turned a deaf ear to that and so my mom said "If you can't appreciate it then leave it"
Surprisingly, the boys dropped the big bowl of husk and left
My Jaw dropped
I thought "thank you" could be said without sincerity at least just to please the other party
But these boys were not even interested in that.

Wow
Have people started missing out on the essence and gifting of a thank you?
The boys thought they were doing my mom a favour since we would pay to discard it
But just saying "Thank You" would have given them the chance to collect husk each day from our house knowing we fry a lot of plantains in a day
But the boys didn't see that
They were blind to that
They wanted what was before them
They didn't perceive the future
They didn't plant the right seed for their little money for school

You may say, children of today
But take a deep breath, relax, think through and ask yourself how many times you appreciate everything you have been given
Ask yourself
Have I always been sincerely grateful?
Do I only praise when I receive it?
Do I only say "thank you Lord" because everyone is saying it?
Is my "thank you" genuine?

Most of us are like these boys
We want to have it and feel it before we give thanks
We say "thank you" because we find ourselves in situations where everyone is grateful
Just like seeing everyone rejoice and you wonder why and to avoid being left out, you start shouting "Thank you"!

But this shouldn't be
Thank you is very powerful
Thank you should be sincere
Thank you should be your song
Thank you should be your melody to your Creator each day
Even when you don't see it, Praise through

Thanksgiving is more than the "thank you"
Thanksgiving is seeing God and God in all things
Thanksgiving is declaring that which you see into existence
Thanksgiving is total reverence to God
It is a total dependence on God
Thanksgiving gives life and is life

I have seen Thanksgiving birth opportunities
Thanksgiving reveals that which is hidden
Thanksgiving heals
Thanksgiving restores
Thanksgiving release the blessings of God
Thanksgiving give hope
Thanksgiving is light
Thanksgiving is Power
Thanksgiving is Peace
Thanksgiving is Joy
Thanksgiving is wisdom
Thanksgiving brings enlightenment
Thanksgiving Saves
Thanksgiving Liberates
Thanksgiving sends our honest desires to the Father
Thanksgiving produces results
Thanksgiving brings rest

You may be facing challenges, trials
You may be in pain, grieved
It hurts and it's painful
Yet your Thanksgiving to God can open you up to some treasures you desire
Your Thanksgiving can comfort and bring you your lost peace
Turn to Jesus
Turn to God and keep your gaze on Him praising through
Be thankful for a full 8 months in 2023
Be thankful for the people around you
Be thankful for that which you desire although you don't see it, praise through it

Just like Apostle Paul in Philippians
Be thankful for your Source, Your Creator

I have seen men dance hoping for open doors and they opened
It's not about what is happening, it's about what God is doing
It's time to arise and Praise He who holds your life
It's time to say a sincere Thank you to God with gladness
It's time to receive that which you yearn for through Thanksgiving

It's time
The Thank you that matters
Arise!
Pick up your cymbals, tambourines, handkerchiefs and anything
Go on your knees, Jump, Shout, Clap, Dance and Shout 'Thank you' to He who hold it's all together

Be a son of gratitude not one of attitude.