A wise friend once said to me that it only costs the price of a stamp to thank people for something they have done for us or a kindness they have shown to us. Saying Thank You can seem a small thing to do but it can make a world of difference to the person receiving thanks.
Today we might do this via email, WhatsApp or telephone but sending and receiving a greetings card is still rather special.

Kindness is something which is too often lacking in society and it’s all too easy to take people for granted.
That is particularly true about God. We take his love for us for granted and we can fall short of thanking him for his goodness to us.
That is something that I think as we approach Lent.

At a time when so much in the world is dark and negative, life can exist in a state of gloom and emptiness.
That can only ever be part of the story. There are many things that happen which are much more positive. There are also people who make our lives happy and hopeful, joyful and full of kindness.
So, one thing which can help us to change the balance from despair and sadness to joy and gladness is to spend time on giving thanks. In particular we can use the period of Lent as a time of thankfulness to God.
At the beginning and end of each day we can identify something that has happened recently and for which we can thank God.  Maybe write these things in a notebook which build up into a special kind of prayer book, or maybe use post-it notes.

We can offer our thanks in a very simple way. During a time of quiet,  perhaps only a few minutes, you can tell God your thanksgiving.  It may be for some personal action of God’s grace in your life or for something good that has happened to you or you may want to thank him for taking care of you through a difficult period of your life. You may simply want to thank him for the way he continually blesses you and holds you in love. It may be a thanks for what others have contributed to your life, or for a kindness to a friend or relative. It may be for a new insight into the working of God’s love and grace.

Basically we want to Thank God for his many blessings to us—blessings which far outweigh anything negative in our Life.
We continually rejoice at the way God showers his love and grace upon us and how God blesses our efforts to live out the Gospel and try to live a corporate and individual life of discipleship. We try to serve God as best we can and He guides, strengthens and rejoices in that service.
The Book of Common Prayer has a prayer of General Thanksgiving which we might pray. This prayer can gather your thanks to God. Here’s a modern version.

Almighty God,  Father of all mercies,
we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us
and to all whom you have made.
We bless you for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable love
in the redemption of the world  by our Lord Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray,  give us such an awareness of your mercies,
that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise,
not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves
to your service, and by walking before you
in holiness and righteousness  all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honour and glory throughout all ages. Amen.

Or something quicker,
a prayer of Dag Hammarkjold (a former General Secretary of the United Nations )

Dear God,
For all that has been, Thanks!
For all that will be, Yes!

[Mr. G. February 14th 2026]