The Thankful Students

It was a cold, crisp Colorado morning. I pulled myself out of bed at 6:30 a.m. dreading the task that was ahead of me, but knowing full well I was one of the few, the proud and the brave assigned to carpool duty at my daughters’ school. My children attend a charter school that does not offer bus service, so in order for the morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up to run as safe as possible, there must be a skilled team in place ready to handle any parking lot violation.

I reported to the “shed” at 0745 hours where all the carpool supplies are housed. Quick introductions were made with the rest of the team and then we went about our assigned tasks. Some barricaded one of the entry points; some handed out the bullet-proof vests, I mean the bright orange safety vests; while another handed out the ammunition, okay the hand-held stop signs. In about five minutes we were ready and in position at our assigned posts.

With my sunglasses on, my orange vest fastened and my stop sign in hand, I heard the hum of the first intruder, well at least their car anyway. Soon the parking lot was full of SUV’s, mini vans and a few four-door sedans. The team was doing a great job and everything was running smoothly—except my attitude.

In all honesty, I hate carpool duty. The orange vests match no outfit I own; it is freezing cold, not to mention very early in the morning; and it’s a “thankless” volunteer job, or so I thought. This particular morning though, I would be taught an important lesson.

As the parking lot became congested, I walked out to the middle of the cross-walk (my post that morning) and stopped the line of cars. I motioned for the students to walk across. But wait, were those smiles on their faces, and I think one of them just told me “thank you?” Surely I heard wrong.

A few minutes later I crossed another group of students, and heard a few more “thank you’s” and saw several smiles. I was baffled. But before long I found myself smiling back and saying, “Have a great day.” Soon the cold air didn’t seem like such a bother, and I actually felt that this was a nice way to start the day. Even the orange vest—never mind, it was still hideous.

After the last cars had passed through and the final group of students were safely in class, I thought to myself how nice this dreaded morning had turned out to be. A simple “thank you” changed my attitude instantly. And it was a group of K-8^th graders that taught me this important lesson.

How often do we forget to say those simple words—thank you? It’s a manner I have tried to instill in my children from the time they learned to talk, but as an adult I know of many times where I forget to say thank you. And even more difficult to admit, I often forget to thank God; the One who knows me the best; who knew me before He formed me in the womb (Jeremiah 1:5); the One who gave His only son to die for me, so that I might have eternal life (John 3:16).

“You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Psalm 118:28 – 29

I’m glad that we have one month set aside each calendar year where thankfulness is the theme, but shouldn’t it be on our hearts all the time? God is constantly at work in our lives every moment of every day. Though we can never out-give God, we can certainly thank Him throughout the day.

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

I know there are moments in our lives we feel God is far from deserving our thanks. We cast blame on Him for the circumstances we find ourselves in, but we must remember, despite the trials we endure, we are blessed. Let’s not be forgetful people. God has blessed us in many ways, and He needs to hear our thanks.