“Thank you, Mom.”
Kailey’s mother started at her
in astonishment.
Kailey shrugged sheepishly.
“It was good. Thanks for making breakfast every morning.”
“Well, you’re welcome,” replied her mother.
…
“Thank you, Miss. Roberts.”
“For what?”
“For bringing special treats today.”
“You’re welcome. People don’t say thanks much anymore. I’m glad you thought to do it.”
Kailey was surprised at how pleased she looked.
…
“Thank you, Brittany.”
Speechless, her best friend stopped short.
“Well, I know I’ve never said it, but I appreciate that you walk out of your way with me to avoid that yard with the vicious dog.”
“You’re welcome,” Brittany finally found her voice.
…
Kailey looked up at the mailman. “Thanks, Ron.”
He looked at her quizzically. “For what?”
“For bringing our mail rain or shine, in snow or whatever.”
A classmate passing by scorned, “it’s his job!”
Kailey looked at the mailman. “Thanks anyway, even if it is your job.”
“Your welcome,” beamed the man.
…
Kailey leaned down and looked in the window of the police car.
“Thank you, Officer.”
The policeman gazed out at her, quite surprised.
“For what, young lady?”
“For taking care of us all.”
“You’re welcome. It’s been a rough day so I appreciate that.”
Kailey smiled and walked on toward home.
…
Wow, this was kind of fun. These days, everyone seemed to be grumpy, stressed out, or just plain angry at everyone else. When the idea for this experiment came to her this morning, she hadn’t thought it would make her feel so good, too.
But this would be the test. She really should…she supposed….
“Thank you, Brian.”
Every Tuesday, he did her job so that she could get off to gymnastics after dinner. She had taken it for granted for months now. And he never complained. He just did it, week after week. Come to think of it, she didn’t know anybody whose brother or sister would do such a thing.
Now, he was gaping at her. “What for?” he asked
She nodded at the stack of dirty plates in his hands.
“Oh,” he said, “you’re welcome.”
She grabbed up her bag and headed out the door. Then she stopped and looked back. “I’ll take out the trash when I get home. That was the deal. I was supposed to do one of your chores.” But she couldn’t remember ever bothering.
He grinned. “Okay, sounds good.”
…
“All right,” said Dad, as they got in the car. “Out with it. I’m dying of curiosity.”
“Well,” she said thoughtfully, as he started the car, “it was a little girl—and her mother. Okay they were panhandlers—asking for money. But they really did look sick and hungry and sad. I think they’re living in their car. I only had a couple of dollars but I gave it to them. The little girl got this big smile on her face and thanked me as if I’d given her a hundred.”
“Ah ha,” said Dad. “So you’ve tried being thankful yourself. It suits you. I’ve never quite seen you so happy.”
“I think I’m going to try it all the time.”
“It’s a good habit to get into,” agreed Dad. “Come on, let’s go buy a gift card for next time you see them.”
…
After that, sometimes people asked “what’s happened to you, Kailey?”
She’d look at them and smile, “two little words.”
Stories of Faith for Kids 