Articles
Why Not Say Thanks?
The late William L. Stidger, famous minister and teacher, once had a nervous breakdown.
He was enclosed in gloom and depression, caring for nothing. In the midst of his despair a friend
suggested, “Think of those who have benefitted you in life and ask if you have ever thanked
them.”
Upon reflection Stidger realized many people had helped him, but he could not recall having
ever thanked one of them. Stidger’s friend encouraged him to write a letter of thanks to each one
who had been helpful to him.
Stidger remembered a teacher named Miss Smith who had given him a love for literature.
He wrote Miss Smith and expressed his appreciation for her influence on his life.
Shortly after he received a letter in shaky handwriting. Miss Smith wrote, “Dear Will, When
I read your letter I was blinded with tears for I remembered you as a little fellow in my class.
You have warmed my old heart. I have taught school for fifty years and yours is the first letter of
thanks I ever received from a student, and I shall cherish it until I die.”
This response so encouraged Stidger he wrote another letter and another. After 500 letters he
stopped. The depression had lifted.
Is the dark cloud of depression camped on your front porch? Pick up a pen and write a letter
of appreciation to a teacher who taught you to love a particular subject. Go visit a favorite aunt
who lives in a nursing home or is shut in. Locate a former coach and thank them for having faith
in you. Tell your older sister or brother thanks for not killing you before your 16th birthday!
The list of people to thank is limited only by your memory. To whom do you owe a word of
thanks?
~Chris Smith, Hanford, CA
via Bulletin Digest (edited for space)
“Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:15
