Good Begets Good

Who doesn’t like to be thanked? When we give thanks to someone, we are recognizing their kindness that comes from their goodness. Their contribution to making life better. We are giving them dignity.

I love to be thanked! I don’t want to overstate it, but I gotta say, it feels great to be thanked. It is inspiring to be thanked! It motivates us to do whatever good we have been recognized for, again! And other good works too!

How do I want you to thank me? Let me count the ways! Kind words describing how wonderful I am are great! I might even remember these words for years to come. How about a gift? Sounds good to me. Especially if you know what I need or like! Let’s not overlook the joy of time. When someone spends time with me, like, just with me and about me. Hello! I am filled with joy and worth!

So, what if we were able to combine all three? Kind words, a well chosen gift, and focused time. What would that look like? I think we have just described a well hosted meal.

Let’s recall our memories of great dinner parties. It could be at any age in our life. Or it could be an over the top dinner party we saw on the screen, or simply imagined and longed for. What made these special to us?

What, if we dare to, would we hope our Thanksgiving dinner will be like this year? Besides watching the Detroit Lions football game!

A great host will spend time planning and preparing the dishes to be served that will ensure everyone has been given food that they will enjoy and be nourished from. Perhaps each guest will be introduced with kind words by the host, recognizing each guest’s beauty and significance that they bring to the table. And during their time together, the host will make it a point to spend time, one on one, with each guest. Inquiring about their day and upcoming plans. And of course the older one gets, their health concerns! Maybe that’s a fourth way to thank someone, listen to them.

So then, it gets even better. Thankfulness towards the guests brings about goodness from them! Because now the guests each have an opportunity to thank the host in special ways. See how this works? Good begets good.

This Thanksgiving, as we prepare a place in our homes for guests. And as we are afforded the opportunity to be a guest. Let’s recognize the good that we are responsible to foster. It’ll be great preparation for what lies ahead – the season of good cheer!

                                                                                         Mike