In my work I must ask kids (military recruits) if they smoke, chew tobacco or dip, or use marijuana. Some do, many don’t, but that’s a subject for another day. I want to tell you of one guy’s response.
Kevin, was a boy, or I should say, a man of 18 years. “Oh, no!” he responded to my questioning. ” I have to live in this body all my life so I don’t want to put poison into it. I need to talk good care of it!”
He was a handsome, thin, muscular fellow who obviously took good care of himself. It seems to me that taking good care of one’s self is a sign of thanksgiving for having been given life. Let me explain.
Some years ago, a high school boy wrote a letter to “Dear Abby” in it he explained that his mother was single and had done “menial” work all of his life to to provide for him. Then two years ago she met and married a very generous “rich” man. Since he came into her life she was able to quit her jobs and be a star home wife and mother. He even promised to pay for his new step son’s college. “How can I ever thank him for all he has done and will do for me?” he asked.
Even if you haven’t read Abby’s answer, you know what she said. “Study hard, get good grades and make him proud of having you as his step son.”
Today we will be having Thanksgiving Dinner at my son Brian”s house. He is a great cook so I know the food will be good. But the challenge he gave each of us in his invitation read: “Try to come with practical ways you can show your gratitude.”
I was prepare to say that I was thankful that God gave me life, and in addition, as a sign of His generosity, He also gave life to those around this table and all the people I have come to love over the past decades. But now Brian has challenged me to do something about it!
Immediately, I thought of Kevin. Am I taking care of this body God gave me to live in? Am I being diligent in caring for my immortal soul? Am I showing my love to those I claim to love? Am I gentle with new acquaintances? Am I generous with the poor? Do I over eat? Under-exercise? Pray enough? Worship enough? Big, important questions! Ill not provide a complete examination of conscience here, but you get the idea.
If we are really appreciate what we have been given, we will be grateful; but how can we show this gratitude better than treating the gifts with care. That means we must treat our spouse all the time as though we really do love her/him. Show that we are thankful for their giving their lives to us! That’s how we will treat our kids, too. And our friends and all of those who enter our lives.
I think I have some changes to make. Wish me luck! And thanks Brian for getting me to think about the important things in my life!