Five days before the movie theatres were to open their doors for the first time in months, but with limited capacity, an industry advocate was saying that 50%wasn‘t good enough. They wanted it to be 100%! At no time did he thank the government for moving the reopening forward a few days, nor did he thanks all the people in the province who had made it possible by embracing vaccinations and following the other guidelines. I wondered what had happened saying those two simple words, ‘Thank you‘! Of course they wanted more, but surely what they got was worth something.
I have noticed as this pandemic has dragged on, how little appreciation is shown for small or even larger gains. People want it over, and things back to normal RIGHT NOW! There are very few ‘thank yous’ being heard on air, but there are a lot of complaints. They seem to take it as being their right to get what they want and to get it NOW with no consideration as to what the of the might be. The almighty dollar keeps rearing it’s ugly head with no concern being shown for infections that could run rampant if too much is opened too soon. Money matters; people don’t, is the message that I hear loud and clear. Appreciation seems to have gone the way of the dodo bird.
Yet in 1 Thessalonians (5:16) we are told to ‘Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances’ Those who call themselves Christians should be leading the way saying ‘thank you’ but they’re not doing a very good job of it. It is during the viewing of newscasts featuring indigenous people that I have noticed how many times the words ‘thank you’ are used showing their appreciate of all input into the discussion. This is from a group of people who have very little reason to be thankful for much in their lives. Are we living out our call as Christians to give thanks for a little as well as for a lot?
That is a question for each of us to ponder.
How right you are Lynn. We have only to look to Great Britain and the increasing Covid numbers in the U.S. also to continue to emerge very carefully. How quickly numbers can climb. Have we not learned that lesson yet? We are incredibly blessed to live in this country, kept as safe as possible.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I had the opportunity to chat with an indigenous woman awhile ago and after I left, felt a nudge to give her a poem that had come to me like a gentle blanket of acceptance at the family cottage. At first I resisted...hand a complete stranger a poem? I don't think so. But the nudge grew stronger so I scribbled the words on my grocery list notebook and walked back to her. The warmth of her smile and words of deep appreciation will stay with me all of my life. For me it was like crossing a Great Divide and I hope it was for her also. I felt accepted all over again in a way I will never forget.
Judy Imrie