The Priory Church, St. Bees

One of the earliest things we learn as children is to say “thank you” after receiving something. If we forget, or if we presume this gesture as unnecessary, we generally earn a rebuke from our parents or guardians. I recall many times when I’ve had to say, “what do you say?” to a child after giving them something. Usually the result is a quick “thanks” as they are already on their way to doing whatever it is they were doing.This act of saying thanks is always in response to something that we have received. Perhaps we asked for something, but perhaps it was unexpected. Even more, perhaps we have received something intangible and precious, like forgiveness or love. Perhaps in a moment of attention you have realised, “this person actually loves me, and at the moment I haven’t the foggiest idea why”. In all these cases the only response we can make is “thank you”. It is a simple acknowledgement that we have depended upon the generosity and gift of someone else. Read the rest of this entry »