A New Attitude of Gratitude

“Give thanks in all circumstances!” I Thessalonians 5:17

My friend, Paul Daniels, is a high school teacher in a nearby town.  He sent me this note on Monday, and I was so inspired by it that I asked if I could post it to my blog.  I pray it inspires you, too, especially during our season of Thanksgiving.  Paul writes:

This afternoon I translated a thank you note from a 7 year-old girl in Burkina Faso who had received a shoebox from a CAL elementary student via Operation Christmas Child.  Anne Wegert wanted to use the letter in elementary chapel.  Here’s the letter.

“June 5, 2009

I have the great pleasure of hearing from you.  My name is Guedraogo Safiatou.  I am in an elementary school class in the village of Toba in the department (county) Yaba of the province (state) Mayah.

I am the oldest girl of a family of farmers.  I have 5 older brothers and 5 younger brothers.  I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all the wonderful gifts that you gave us here in Toba.

I want to send my greetings to all your family and friends in America.  I hope that your friendship will continue forever if God wills it so.

Thank you!

Guedraogo Safiatou”

I got to thinking as I returned the letter back to the elementary office.  In saying thank you, Guedraogo had spent about $2 between the cost of paper, stamps and the photo.  It doesn’t sound like much to us until one realizes average person’s yearly income in Burkina Faso is about $320.  She spent a small fortune or about 0.6% of the average Burkinabe’s income.  For one of us to say thank you in an equivalent manner as this little girl, it would be $196 (about 0.6 % of $31,800, the average US worker’s income).

It’s kind of humbling.  Would I say thank you if it cost me $196?  And how often have I forgotten to say thank you?

Towards a new attitude of gratitude,

Paul

“Give thanks in all circumstances!”  I Thessalonians 5:17

Advertisement