From a young age I was taught how to say “please” and “thank you.” I also remember teaching my children when they were little to say please and thank you. My daughter got it right away, however, it took my son a few years to say it without being reminded. Now he does it well.
We say please and thank you in our home, but not all the time. Why is it that we take those closest to us for granted?
Why do we say please and thank you out of the home more easily than in the home?
Over the last week, I have made a big effort to say “please” and “thank you”, every time there was an occasion to do so, and as I did, I noticed something in me. More gratitude for my husband, and for all he does, and for my son’s help around the house. It gave me a deeper feeling of love for them.
How does that happen? I was just being polite! Noticing them more, and taking the time to be grateful for them, caused me to be even more grateful than I expected! In turn, I believe it helped them want to be more helpful, and be politer in return.
Gratitude is an attitude, grumpy and miserable is an attitude as well.
Philippians 2:1-4
“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”
The Dictionary.com definition of “polite” is: showing good manners toward others, as in behavior, speech, etc.;courteous;
a polite reply.
Very interesting that the antonym of polite is simply “rude”.
How can we take the scripture above to help us in being politer at home? By not being selfish, and humbly thinking of others as better than ourselves. You are taking an interest in the other person, as you notice their worth, by acknowledging them in this way.
We are also reminded in Philippians 2:14 “Do everything without grumbling or arguing”.
Next time you feel like grumbling, ask the Lord to change your heart to a heart of gratitude. Here is how the Lord can help you with that.
Philippians 4:8-9 says: And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Challenge for this week, look for reasons to say please and thank you, each and every time an opportunity arises, and see how this one act may enrich you and your home.