A Month of Gratitude

A Month of Gratitude

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

In just a couple of days it’ll be November, the month traditionally devoted to gratitude. I’m sure you’ve seen the calendars or websites devoted to helping you give thanks for at least one of God’s blessings for each day of the month. Or perhaps you’ve seen people give thanks for their blessings according to the alphabet. Truth be told, I started my alphabet of thanks but got hung up at the letter C. Read on and discover why . . .

I’m thankful for aardvarks, apples, aunts, and art, bees, butterscotch, bacon and beds. But I’m really thankful for common courtesies! As you look at my list of common courtesies for which I’m thankful, maybe you have one or more you’d like to add to the list. Respond to this email and let me know what they are! Here are the common courtesies I’m thankful for:

1. When someone sends you money on your phone be sure to notify the sender once you receive the money and remember to say thank you. It costs nothing.

2. Turn the volume down when you're watching a video, playing music, or playing a game on your phone in a public place or, better yet, use headphones.

3. Show respect for others. When appropriate, say please, thank you, and excuse me. After you receive a gift, make sure you write a thank you note or follow up with a phone call, email, or text message. Do not use the word “shut up.” It’s offensive!

4. Always leave the last piece of food for the person who bought it unless they insist they won't eat it.

5. Always apologize when you do something wrong. When you physically or emotionally hurt someone, apologize even if it’s an accident. If you make a mistake, try to make amends whenever possible.

6. When someone is having a conversation, don’t interrupt. If you must interrupt a conversation, make sure you say, “Excuse me, I’m sorry to interrupt but…”

7. When you change your plans, let others know. Honor your word. If you commit to plans, make sure you show up. If something comes up (which it always does), make sure you contact others immediately.

8. If you stay the night at someone's house, make the bed or fold the blankets before you leave.

9. Respect the needs of others in public. Don’t talk obnoxiously or loudly in public. Be aware of your surroundings and the people in the vicinity. Use your cell phone in a private place.

10. Don’t answer a phone call while you’re engaged in conversation without excusing yourself.

11. Never embarrass another person. It’s NOT polite. In fact, it’s rude and mean and only serves to make you look like a bully. If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything.

12. When refusing an invitation, be kind and honest. You can’t attend every function so sometimes you’ll need to politely decline an invitation. Remember it’s okay to decline an invitation but it’s wrong to lie to someone.

13. Respect your elders. Always be polite to adults and treat them with respect. Go out of your way to help elderly people by holding the door open. Consider actually talking with them. That may put a smile on their face.

14. Respect other people’s property. Treat other people’s possessions like they were your own. If you lose or ruin something that belongs to someone else, fix or replace it.

15. Give genuine compliments. A fundamental rule of good manners is to give. When you meet someone, you can always think of a genuine compliment to give, along with your attention and interest. Be generous with sincere words of praise, warm greetings, sympathy, or whatever is appropriate to the occasion.

16. Act and look your best. Take time to care how you present yourself, both in appearance and in manners.

17. Seating in crowded places. If seating is limited, and you’re sitting, offer your seat to a woman who’s standing (older woman takes precedence over a young woman).

18. Learn people's names. It’ll mean SO much to them.

19. Clean up after yourself at home, at work, at a friend’s house.

20. Push your chair in when you leave a table. Don't make someone else do it for you.

21. Reach out to people who are grieving. If you don’t know what to say, just be there with them.

22. Don’t ask for a lift and then make the person wait for you. Instead, position yourself at a convenient place so they don’t have to go out of their way to pick you up.

23. Don’t always be the receiver in a relationship. Try to also give, no matter how small.

24. Offer to serve others.

25. The world isn’t interested in what you dislike. Keep negative opinions to yourself, or between you and your friends, and out of earshot of others.

26. Don’t comment on other people’s physical characteristics unless, of course, it’s to compliment them.

27. When people ask how you are, tell them and then ask how they are.

28. When you make a phone call, introduce yourself first and then ask if you can speak with the person you are calling.

29. Speak highly of your parents. Respect them, even if there are things about them you don’t like. If you can’t do that, don’t talk about them at all. It looks bad to insult or speak badly of the people who brought you into this world or raised you. Don’t wash dirty family laundry in public. It is negative and rude.

30. Be polite to people who serve. Make eye contact and turn off your phone when talking to the cashier at the fast-food restaurant or at the grocery store. Respect the server at the restaurant. Say thank you when you receive your food or change.

31. If you answer a call because you're in no situation to speak, quickly send a text message asking them to text or call you after a period of time. It might be an emergency.

         What common courtesies would YOU add to this list?  Let’s not only be thankful for them. Let’s put them into practice!

Thanks for reading Pastor Dale’s Mid-Week Encouragement.  If you’re a regular attender of the Mt. Laurel Church of God, consider reading Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 to get yourself ready to hear God’s message through Pastor Dale this coming Sunday, November 2.

Called to know the Way, go the Way, and show you the Way,

^{Pastor Dale}

Pastor Dale (PD) and Pamela his wife are honored to serve the Mt. Laurel Church of God. If this Mid-Week Encouragement has helped you, perhaps it may encourage someone else. Feel free to share this message with anyone you choose. And if you'd like to receive PD's Mid-Week Encouragement, just send an email to (kingdomguy@gmail.com) and I'll accommodate your request.