Asante

When our children were much younger, my wife put considerable effort in teaching them the so-called 'magic words' – ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. “Please” and “thank you” became a staple in the family. I had to watch myself too. Many times, my daughter would wag her little finger (just like her mother) at me for not saying thank you often enough. So, I wasn't surprised when recently, after walking through the length and breadth of Nairobi CBD with my kids and buying them books, shoes and a very unhealthy lunch, my daughter gave me an energetic hug exclaiming; "Dad, thanks for a lovely day!"

I have never quite understood their fascination with walking through the ever-crowded CBD and winding it off with some junk food. But that same evening I watched my son trying to explain to my equally bewildered wife how “Dad has spoilt us today”.

In a sense, vocalizing our gratitude should come naturally to us but so often it doesn’t. It is gracious courtesy to fellow man and an act of worship when we say it to God. Some cultures have even tried to inculcate gratitude by weaving it through their daily languages. If you have lived among Tanzanians then you will know what I am talking about. ‘Kenyanese’ is unfortunately, devoid of such subtleties. It is even more unfortunate that many extend the bad manners to friend and God. Let me explain with an allegory and then with a scripture.

With many things, it is possible to swing from one extreme end to the other without ever settling at the reasonable Centre. When it comes to saying “Asante” (thank you), I sometimes feel like many are like a pendulum that swung too hard and got stuck at the extreme end of an otherwise good thing. I have observed at least three types who are like that stuck pendulum:

1. Those who expect subtly or otherwise to be thanked for all the good they do. The more public the better. Most notable is the social media phenomenon of publishing to excruciating detail, every act of kindness performed. There was a time when Jalango- the comedian held this crown. Now, I lose track.

2. The second category are those who, because of their

circumstances are so inwardly focused that they only see the dark side of life. Even when something good happens, they only see shortcomings or what might go wrong in future. They have forgotten that lovely Sunday school song.

🎵Count your blessings name them one by one,

count your blessings see what God has done.

And it will surprise what the Lord had done.🎶

These I don't blame so much. Very often I find that they have been harangued by life and need a helping hand to pull them out of that dark world of chronic pessimism.

3. The third category are the most annoying. They are also to be most pitied. These are the ones whose needs are often 'very urgent' but once you help or lend to them, they forget to say a simple 'thank you. ' Bure kabisa! When Jesus was here, He encountered this lot and was quite surprised by their behavior.

Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" So when He saw them, He said to them, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? (Luke.17:12-17)

I honestly hope that you don't fall in this category though I must confess that I have also caught myself forgetting to say, "thank you". For me it is with the persons I am most familiar with that I transgress-close family members, workmates and sad to say, God. What about you; with whom are you guilty of this infraction?

KAG Bishop Philip Kitoto would often remark how easy it is to take for granted those you are most familiar with. Consider that of the ten that Jesus healed, it is only the non-Jew among them who went back to give thanks.

And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned..., giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.
Jesus asked; Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?" (Luke.17:15,18,17)

My brother, do not take God for granted. Yes, and do not take for granted those who lend you a helping hand. Say thank you. Build those magic words into your daily language. 

Let me let you in on a little secret. I am learning that if I don't get into the habit of thanking God for big and small prayers answered, then I don't do so well with my fellow man either. If you catch me talking to myself in town or in the office, hide and listen keenly. Very likely it will be something like this;

In CBD: "Dear Lord, help me get a parking spot"
At work, unable to make headway and preparing for a meeting with the 'big boys & girls: "Dear God, give me the wisdom and excellence of your servant Daniel"
At home having 'domez' with wifey: "Dear God, I don't understand what she wants. Please sort her."
This last one I am not sure whether God sorts wife or me but heck, it has worked all the time...well almost.

Just like Jesus above, I think God is peeved when I forget to say thanks.
How about you, do you think God is happy with the level of thankfulness you display in prayer?
How about other people, are they silently peeved at your bad behavior?