Two little words that we teach our children are “Thank you.” They’re important words, because they let someone know that something kind or special they have done or said is appreciated. If we do something a good deed for someone, and they don’t say thank you, we might assume that they either didn’t like what we did, or didn’t appreciate it, and that can be hurtful.

One thing I’ve noticed about my Amish friends, is their appreciative attitude. Whenever I, or someone else, does them a kindness, they always remember to say thank you.

As I was reflecting on this, I thought about our relationship to God. How often do we remember to tell Him thank you? In
I Thessalonians 5:18 it says, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Psalms 100, verses 4 & 5, reminds us to: “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good, his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” God wants His people to be grateful, too.

Is there someone you need to thank today? If it’s God, He’s only a prayer away.

Growing up, I learned many hymns, such as “The Old Rugged Cross,” “In the Garden,” “Amazing Grace,” and “Victory in Jesus.” The words to the songs spoke to my heart, just as the passages of Scripture I had committed to memory. The Bible verses, as well as the hymns, helped me survive a dysfunctional home life during my growing up years. In my adult life, scriptures, hymns, and choruses have sustained me through some difficult situations along the way.

Many of the hymns in the Amish Ausbund, as well as those hymns found in other denomination’s church hymnals, were written to help us understand the beliefs and suffering of those who wrote the hymns of old. These songs are a reminder of their faith, and were often written during times of suffering. They were also written to help us understand God and follow His ways.

The next time you sing a hymn, try to visualize the time period it was written, and the condition in which the writer of the hymn lived. Think about a favorite hymn and what it personally means to you.

In my upcoming children’s book, “Humble Pie,” which will be published in October, I deal with the topic of learning to be humble. The goal of every Amish church member is to be a humble person, not full of hochmut (pride). Everyone in the Amish community knows his or her place in life and must choose to be content with that. The Bible teaches us to be clothed with humility. That means we are to wear it all the time so that others may see Christ living in us. Humility isn’t just about not bragging; it’s about being willing to do the most menial tasks. It’s about serving others and thereby serving the Lord, without needing any recognition. The gentle humble spirit I’ve seen in my Amish friends encourages me to wear the clothes of humility, too. “Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, then to divide the spoil with the proud.” Proverbs 16:19. What are your thoughts on the topic of humility? Do you think there is ever a time when it’s okay to brag?