THANK YOU CARDS

lately, i've been pondering the concept of thank you cards. most of the women i know have a weird fixation on thank you cards and making sure they either send or receive them. i am no different, i love to collect different kinds, and have them blank & on hand. i've even heard people complain when they haven't received one, or a new mom suffer in shame because she couldn't get the baby shower thank you's out in time. what is the deal with thank you cards?
i want to propose this, that a good deal of giving is in fact, not gracious at all. people remember what they've given, and want to be praised or rewarded through a piece of paper. if a thank you note isn't given then the person is butt hurt (for lack of a better term), and they judge that person. "why couldn't sally get her thank you's done for her wedding/birthday/baby shower? I ALWAYS get mine done, and I have 8 kids running around! BLAH BLAH BLAH." a sense of pride and judgment completely clouds what was supposed to be a generous act in the first place.
this got me thinking...how many thank you cards do i owe my parents? they've contributed both emotionally and financially an absurd amount of energy into me, and i haven't given them some lousy note every time it called for one. to take it a step further, how many thank you cards do i owe Jesus? thank you for grace, for oxygen, for keeping me from a car accident, for health, for trials...
thank you cards, although i'm quite sure i will continue to use them, have become a conduit to keeping up with social norms and lends to arrogance at times. i'm not saying every person who utilizes one is truly doing it to demonstrate proper etiquette, however, i do recognize that honest generosity doesn't EXPECT anything in return. NOTHING.
my very good friend, and perhaps THE most considerate person i know was coaching me on this last week as i was offended and hurt by the actions of some friends that Caleb and i have. she gently told me that i have to readjust my expectations of those people because they are not capable of being accommodating, gracious or compassionate towards us. if i enter into situations with them, or people like them, i won't feel let down, and my motivations will be honest and true. i know that i have the propensity to do the right thing for the wrong reason. just as thank you cards have that potential.
the gist: love and give generously because the Lord has done so with you...and don't expect the same behavior, devotion or a THANK YOU card in return :)

*KBA*
Continuing to learn about people, life and grace.