What does "Thank You" really mean?

What does "Thank You" really mean?

By: Chris Gallatin

" Thank you" is one of those wonderful phrases people use to express a special gratitude.

But there's often a lot more to it than those two words can say.

When it comes from the heart, from deep inside the nicest feelings and the most special
thoughts, "Thank you" means so much.

It means thank you for taking the time to show that you care. It means "you really made my day,"
and sometimes it means that you really make all the days so much better.

It means you make me feel so nice, and I wish I could do the same for you... just by letting you know how much you mean to me.

"Thank you" means you didn't have to... but I'm so grateful that you did.

"Thank you" means that you've done something special that I'll never forget.

How God is in you and how will you take God with you where ever you go?

How God is in you and how will you take God with you where ever you go?

By: Scott Brown

1st Place Essay

Family Club Essay Contest -  May 22, 2007

How God is in you and how will you take God with you where ever you go?

Jesus is a model and I try to mimic him as humanly as possible. God loves me and expects me to love others with respect. We should live in a way that pleases God. He speaks to us through our teachers, friends, priests, and parents.

They guide us toward maturity. They help us in problem solving and appropriate behavior. I have control in adopting a good attitude.  Each of us has the power to choose a negative or positive attitude.

My attitude is my future and the key to my success. People in my daily life, help me to shape my attitude and outlook on life. I am encouraged by these mentors to set my goals and keeping Gods will for me. God has given me the innate ability to help others through patience, gentleness, and love. I make every effort to see God in everyone that I meet, and by trying to help them do better, I'm doing better myself. I must accept responsibility for my behavior. For I am judged on what I do, not from what I am.

I feel that I can make a difference in this world. I feel that I can make a difference in other people's lives and I can get something out of it. I'm fortunate, and very grateful to my parents for allowing me the privilege to continue my Catholic education at Justin- Siena High School.

The following is a quote from Thomas Merton which embodies my philosophy towards life."There is only one problem on which all my existence, my peace, and my happiness depend: to discover myself in discovering God. If I find Him I will find myself and if I find my true self I will find Him."

The following prayer by Francis of Assisi will help me meet my religion expectations in the future and the way I will relate to everyday living in my life. "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred let me sow love, Where there is injury let sow pardon, Where there is doubt, faith, Where there is despair, hope, Where there is darkness, light, Where there is sadness, joy.    O divine master, Grant that I may not seek so much to be consoled as to console, To be understood to understand, To be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, It is in forgiving that we are forgiven, And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life."

Generosity Builds Community

Generosity Builds Community

by Rick Warren

"Your generosity ... not only provides for the needs of God's people, but also produces prayers of thanksgiving to God." (2 Corinthians 9:12)

When we're generous with each other, we thank God for each other and we're drawn closer to each other.

One of my friends learned the connection between generosity and community when one of his neighbors came by to borrow a ladder. A few weeks later, my friend discovered his neighbor already had a ladder, but the neighbor borrowed one as a way of building a relationship.

My friend said, "When my neighbor borrowed my stuff, it made me feel like I was needed, and I liked that feeling. Now I do the same thing with other neighbors. For instance, my neighbor, Roger, has a Shop Vac, and I borrow it every Friday to clean my car. Roger even leaves it out for me on Fridays. I told Roger the other day that I could buy my own Shop Vac, but I liked the interaction with him. He told me not to buy one because he liked the interaction, too."

The Bible says, "Your heart will be wherever your treasure is." (Matthew 6:21) Wherever I put my time, my money, my effort, my energy, wherever I invest myself - that's what's going to attract me.

For some of you, your heart may be in your home. That's where you're putting your time, your money, and your energy - fixing it up. Or your heart may be in your work. That's where you're putting your time, your money and your energy. Or it may be in a hobby. That's where you're putting your time, your money and your energy. Wherever your treasure is, your heart's going to be there.

So, when I'm generous with you or with the poor or with anybody, that's where my heart tends to go. And every time I give to God, it draws my heart closer to God, and every time I give to you, it draws my heart closer to you. Giving or generosity creates community.

The first Christians were famous for their generosity. "The community of believers... shared everything in common." (Acts 4: 32) They were a family; they shared it all: 'What's mine is yours, and you can share it with me.' It was voluntary. Christianity says, "What's mine is yours and you can share it with me."

When you're a parent, and you have little kids in your home, you enjoy watching them share with each other? When you see that your kids are unselfish, you're very happy with that.

And God is the same way.

When God looks down on us and He sees us being generous with each other He says, "That's My boy! That's My girl! They're doing what I want them to do." Because God is generous, and He wants us to become like Him.

10 Reasons to Say "I Love You"

Just three little words can mean the whole world to someone. As a relationship matures, you may start to forget to say, "I love you" as you get stuck in the routines of daily life. Telling someone you love him often helps you maintain your close bonds over time. Use the words liberally.

1. Love

Of course, the best reason to say, "I love you" is because you really love the person. You may find there are times in your life when you're reminded of this for some particular reason and just want to blurt out the words.

2. Reassurance

Hearing the words often allows the other person to feel reassured that you really do love him and are thinking about him, even though you may get caught up in other things. If a person goes too long without hearing that you love him, he may start to fear that you don't.

3. Because You Can

Express your love freely because you never know when you may not have the chance to do it again. Your world can change in a heartbeat and you may never have a moment like this again.

4. Security

Hearing the words, "I love you" can make a person feel more secure in the relationship. He will know your feelings and where he stands.

5. To Get Some

Admit it--it's been awhile since you and your honey last got together. Reminding him that you do love him can help him feel closer to you, which may open the door to a bit of hanky-panky.

6. To Hear It Back

When you say, "I love you," most often you're going to hear it back. If you've been feeling a bit lonely and withdrawn--even though you're in a relationship--saying the words will almost guarantee that you'll hear them back. This can make you feel better about yourself and your position in the relationship.

7. It's Unconditional

When you're having a disagreement with someone, it helps to say "I love you" just to remind the other person that you do really love her, even though you may be arguing. This is particularly true when you're talking about your children.

8. Protection

When others are attacking your honey, for whatever reason, it can feel like everyone is against him. When you say "I love you," you can protect him from the sting of these attacks and show others that you are a united front.

9. Pride

When your husband has met some great accomplishment, such as a promotion at work or losing 10 pounds, you naturally feel proud that you are his wife. Telling him that you love him can show him this pride.

10. That Spider Isn't Going to Kill Itself

Face it--sometimes, you say "I love you" because it's going to get you what you want. He might do the dishes, run out to the store at 3 a.m. to buy you ice cream during your third trimester and even kill that huge scary spider in the corner. It's not pretty, but it works, so don't be ashamed to use this from time to time.