Monday Morning Music Ministry

Every year at this time, besides focusing my gratitude to God for His blessings, the philologist in me unavoidably reflects on our use of “Thanks” in our culture. Specifically I have noticed that the response we all were taught, when someone says, “Thank you,” has fallen into disuse.

Most of us were taught “Please,” “Thank you,” and “You’re Welcome,” as strictly as ABCs and 1-2-3s. I do a little private survey each year to see how “You’re Welcome” is becoming an extinct phrase. Try it yourself.

Over the past week, in shops, post offices, and banks, I tracked 24 times I said “Thank you.” I received only one “You’re Welcome” in reply. Among the substitutes were “Yup,” “OK,” “No problem,” “Hey, no prob,” “You got it,”  “Sure thing,” and “You bet.” The most common reply was “Thank YOU.”

I always cast broader attention across the cultural landscape, to radio and television. Of 17 examples I recorded, I heard one person, correspondent Malini Wilkes, of FOX News, say “You’re Welcome.” The speakers ranged from major news figures on NPR to callers and hosts on sports radio WFAN in New York. Also celebrities from my notebook since last Thanksgiving (once you notice this, it’s hard to stop noticing):

In July, President Obama was interviewed by Yonit Levi of Israeli TV:

      Q: President Barack Obama, shalom, and thank you so much for talking with us today.

      The President: Thank you. Thank you very much.

And at the end of this interview:

      Q: Thank you so much, Mr. President.

      The President: Thank you. I enjoyed it. Take care.

Things were not different when, a few months earlier, Obama was interviewed by the pan-Arabic media site Al Arabiya:

Q: Mr. President, thank you for this opportunity, we really appreciate it

The President: Thank you so much.

And at the end of the interview, it sounded like Alphonse and Gaston had entered the studio:

Q: Sir, I really appreciate it.
The President: Thank you so much.
Q: Thanks a lot.
The President: I appreciate it.
Q: Thank you.
The President: Thank you   

Pat Boone was a guest on “The Interview” program from NHK television in Japan.

      Q: Pat, thanks for joining us today.

      Pat Boone: I enjoyed it.

One of the Republican “young guns” in the House turned the tables in the conclusion of an CNBC interview; he thanked his host, Joe Kernan, first:

      Rep. Tim Ryan: Thank you.

      Interviewer: OK, Congressman.

Laura Bush, flogging her book, not only abandoned the traditional reply, but the first person pronoun, once a no-no for a school librarian:

      Maria Bartiromo: Mrs. Bush, thank you so much for your time today.

      Mrs Bush: Thanks.

      Bartiromo: Thank you for the service for our country, of course.

      Mrs Bush: Thanks a lot. Appreciate it.

The funereal Charlie Rose found a way to avoid his conversation-partner getting the last word, at least when that would mirror his own thanks:

      Charlie Rose: It’s a pleasure to have you here in New York. Thank you very much.

      Eric Schmidt: Thank you very much.

      Charlie Rose: Eric Schmidt, the CEO of Google.

Sarah Palin, typically, shakes things up. When she is welcomed, she thanks.

      Chris Wallace, FOX News Host: Governor Palin, welcome to Fox News Sunday.

      Sarah Palin: Thank you so much.

The origins of “Thank you” and “You are welcome” are interesting. According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the Proto Indo-European group spoke a cognate of “thanks,” meaning “Good thoughts, gratitude,” the same root as “think.” Old Frisians said “thankia,” Germans say, “Danke.”

The roots of “welcome” are not, strictly, “well” and “come,” but “willed” as in desired; and “Cuma,” meaning guest – so, roughly, “ I want to extend my hospitality to you.” Oddly, “You’re welcome” as a formulaic response to “Thank you” only became standard around 1907. So if this social convention is fading from the scene, we are not losing an old tradition, but a relatively brief convention.

What is the lesson to be drawn this week? Is there a spiritual aspect to this discussion? Thank you for asking.

Whether we recall biblical ceremonies, Pilgrims’ dinners, or presidential proclamations, we summon feelings of gratitude to a gracious God, so as to be mindful of His bountiful gifts at Thanksgiving time.

Too often, however, we forget that God, Creator of the universe and Master of the Harvest, thanks us, too. There are many cases in the Bible where we see this – “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” is the most familiar. He knows what our service means, and what it costs, and He honors our faith and our witness. This is humbling (He exercises grace, lest no man shall boast) – but edifying, because it reminds us that Thanksgiving is a time of blessed sweet communion.

When God says, “Thank you,” let us not reply with “No prob,” or “OK.” Be intentional with, “No, thank YOU,” or “I want to extend my hospitality to you.” And how appropriate, how symbolic, if we have room to set an empty chair at our Thanskgiving dinners, representing the fact that we can commune with the God who offers, and receives, Thanks.

Here is a brief song and video that will affect you profoundly —

Click:  Thank You For Giving To the Lord

I also give thanks for creative people whose faith has touched us in the past. There are cases where songwriters and singers – even preachers – alter their Christian views and sometimes deny their Christian vows; yet the works produced during their periods of faith still proclaim the truth. Moreover, we cannot judge, especially when their testimony was strong and they, perhaps, wrestle now with spiritual matters. For instance, if Mel Gibson has disappointed believers with actions in his private life since “Passion of the Christ,” few would deny the truth and power of that film. We gave thanks, and add to our prayers sinners such as we.