Thank You

By Steve Clark

November 20, 2025

2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

I’m not a Veteran. I’ve never worn the uniform or been to war. I’ve never left my family for months or years to fight for and defend my country. I have never carried a sea bag, shot at an enemy, or held a dying friend. 

I have no idea what a veteran has experienced. Your fear, your bravery, your suffering, or your survival. 

All I can say is that I’m simply a grateful American.  November 11, 2025, was Veterans Day. Grateful Americans wish they could reach out and thank each veteran personally.

“Thank you.” Two words. Eight letters. 

Sometimes we don’t even think about it when someone says it.  We say, “How are you?” “Doing well, thank you.” Within seconds, we have moved away from that moment and have forgotten what we said and to whom we said it.

When do two words, eight letters, earn their stripes as words of gratitude, appreciation, thankfulness? 

It happens when we put action behind the words. It happens when we look into someone’s eyes and speak from our heart. It happens when we say it because we mean it and not because it’s an auto response. 

In Washington D.C. there is the Vietnam Memorial. When you pass by the memorial and you hear a mother sobbing, and you pass a father scratching pencil across paper to capture his son’s name from the wall—just to name a couple.

Your eyes start to burn. You can feel your heart begin to ache and your throat swell and two simple words, eight letters—just seem inadequate. 

When was the last time you came to Jesus like this? We love our veterans, and they deserve the best but, when was the last time you came to the greatest Veteran in history with a heavy heart and just said, “Thank you”? 

Jesus paid the ultimate price for each and every one of us.  Will you thank Him today?

Reflection—The best attitude is GRATITUDE.