Special Post for My Dear Friend George

George is so lucky to have a friend like me - one who latches on to something and never lets it go until it's been beaten dead. So, this is a special post for her.

God will never thank us. BUT we should always thank each other. So just for her (and any others recently married - 6 months ago for George - that have yet to send out their wedding card thank yous) I found some etiquette rules for thank yous. Here are the higlights:

"There is no way around it. After the wedding cake has been eaten, after the honeymoon is over, there is still one more wedding-related matter to attend to. It’s time for the newlyweds to send out their thank you cards. Most couples like to procrastinate when it comes to showing their gratitude, but all the experts agree, this is one area where etiquette must not be breached.

Perhaps you feel you’ve put it off for too long and it’s too late, or maybe you’re not sure how your note should be worded. Don’t let this keep you from letting your guests know how much you appreciated not only their generosity, but also that they were able to share your special day. It may seem like a daunting task to write a personal note to 250 guests, but if you work together as a couple, the time is sure to pass quickly. Before you know it, they’ll be in the mail and you can focus on other areas of marital bliss. Below are some guidelines to get you started.

- A thank you note must never be preprinted or typed. A personalized, handwritten note is expected. Many printers offer blank note cards printed in the same design as the wedding invitation specifically for this purpose. Photographers also offer blank thank you notes that come with a picture of the happy couple. The same rule applies to the envelope, it should be hand written, showing your guests they were each special enough for you to take this extra step.

- “Thank you for your gift” will not cut it. Each gift must be noted and discussed, even if more than one gift

was given. “Thank you for the toaster oven, what better way for us to start our morning than with warm bread and jam!” not only tells the gift giver the gift is appreciated, but it also lets him or her know you look forward to using the gift. If you receive a gift of money, never mention the amount or the words “money,” “cash,” or “check.” “Thank you for your generous gift. We’re putting it towards a down payment on a house” is not only a gracious way to acknowledge a money gift, but it also lets the reader know the gift will be put to good use."

And, yes God will never thank us but we should thank each other, and in person is not sufficient, a card with a stamp that is going to be thrown away and fill up our landfills is necessary.

God Isn't Grateful

December 13, 2008 | By: John Piper
Category: Commentary

It is good news that we will never be thanked by God.

Not thanking us is a form of love.

We need to adjust our expectations of what it feels like to be loved by God compared to what it feels like to be loved by men.