On Life 43 – Thankfulness – September 13, 2014

   It is said, “Do not leave out a day without thanking someone.” During our lifetime, we hurry to achieve our goals. We might stumble or lose the way. Yet, that someone gives us a hand gives a ray of light that shines during the dark moments of life.

   Here, I call upon you to stop and search your memory for that person who has given you a hand throughout your life. Do you remember who hurried to support you and hurries to guide you toward success lest you stumble or lose the way? Have you thanked him? If you answer in the negative, then let me ask you to wait a moment and thank whoever helped you.

   I read about a person who lived in the United States of America. He had a scar in the face which was indicative of his undergoing a terrible accident. The man used to spend a lot of time gazing out of his window, as if waiting for somebody. Then it came to pass that a by passer asked him why he was waiting. He answered that nine years ago, as he was looking out of the window, he saw a car running rapidly with a little girl screaming fearfully: for the car had no driver. So, he hurried toward the car quickly and stopped it with a great effort. However, he was badly wounded and lost his senses. When he recovered, the girl was the first thing he inquired after, “Did anything wrong happen to her?” They told him she was alright. When he asked if she or any of her relatives had come over to thank him, he was told that nobody did. So, ever since, he had waited for long hours at the window, not to be rewarded for his deed, but to be appreciated.

   Words of thankfulness are not that expensive: for they express man’s gratitude toward others and declaration that his heart still bears humanity and senses support. So, do not hesitate to make words of thankfulness part of your day: in the morning and evening. Thank God who plans your life with goodness, and those who meet you and offer you good things, no matter how simple they are. Only then you will find happiness filling your heart and others’, making the world a circle of love for everybody.

General Bishop

Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center