"Thank You" Teaches Children

This weekend I had the opportunity to sit down and speak with on of our regular ushers. We were discussing the passing of the collection basket. She said that sometimes it takes her a little bit longer to finish her section because she takes the time to thank individually each of the children who drop their offering in the basket.

I was so moved by this simple effort. She is an essential part of these children's formation. Stewardship is all about being grateful for what we are given. If we want to teach that to children we need to remember to thank them for all of their contributions. Sometimes it is just a dandelion out of the church shrubery, sometimes it is their off-pitch voice in the choir, and other times it is the portion of their allowance they have been given by their parents to contribute to church. All of these acts of service and gifts of self are stewardship and in an effort to reinforce it, we must regularly speak of it, affirm it, and be grateful for it.

And it's not just for kids...many adults can be touched and taught by a simple "thank you".