Although my schedule allows very little time to peruse Facebook in-depth, on occasion lately I’ve been able to scroll through comments and hit the occasional “like.” In the few short days of November so far, I’ve noticed a lot of thankful posts. This is a welcome trend. Much of what I’ve witnessed as the usual fare on FB and Twitter are spontaneous complaints to which an old high school teacher of mine would have responded: “would you like some cheese with that whine.”
Thankfulness is one of the most “spiritual” things a person can express. Ingratitude and entitlement pervades every part of our culture. Every day—and I’m not being hyperbolic—every day someone suggests to me that so-and-so should be sued for something. Frankly, it nauseates me. It would not be so bad if there were any corresponding statements of “that person should be congratulated.” No. In the world in which we live, we are quick to hand out criticism and slow on the compliments—quick to assert our rights and slow to give mercy.
That’s why the FB “thank you” cavalcade is refreshing. Inevitably, these things seem to go the way of cheesy bumper-sticker slogans and reposts of the more cheesy “honk if you…” statements about gratitude. I hope it does not go that way. But even if it does, it is refreshing for a moment to bask in the sunshine of gratitude instead of the perpetual gloom of ingratitude. My hope this season is that I will reject the grumbling that is so easy to fall into and meditate on what I have to be thankful for … a wonderful wife, healthy kids, and incredible friends. God is good. As the rabbinic sages say—blessed be He.
Thankfulness is one of the most “spiritual” things a person can express. Ingratitude and entitlement pervades every part of our culture. Every day—and I’m not being hyperbolic—every day someone suggests to me that so-and-so should be sued for something. Frankly, it nauseates me. It would not be so bad if there were any corresponding statements of “that person should be congratulated.” No. In the world in which we live, we are quick to hand out criticism and slow on the compliments—quick to assert our rights and slow to give mercy.
That’s why the FB “thank you” cavalcade is refreshing. Inevitably, these things seem to go the way of cheesy bumper-sticker slogans and reposts of the more cheesy “honk if you…” statements about gratitude. I hope it does not go that way. But even if it does, it is refreshing for a moment to bask in the sunshine of gratitude instead of the perpetual gloom of ingratitude. My hope this season is that I will reject the grumbling that is so easy to fall into and meditate on what I have to be thankful for … a wonderful wife, healthy kids, and incredible friends. God is good. As the rabbinic sages say—blessed be He.
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