Chain Letters

I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs.  The poor will see and be glad— you who seek God, may your hearts live! The LORD hears the needy and does not despise his captive people (Psalm 69:30)

            How do you feel when someone thanks you for something you really did and you know they really mean it? I'm not talking about a polite "thank you" when you do something you feel socially obligated to do. How do you feel when someone responds to you and your good deed with real, deep gratitude?

          There are studies that show that helping someone produces hormones that make us feel good - a "helper's high." Having someone express that helping has happened and that it had a good effect stimulates that "high." Better yet, if the good you've done produces good in someone else, they and you can share in those positive feelings. If, in response to God's help to us, we respond by being helpful to others, then those we help will be glad, but so will we. It's a "chain letter." If we break it, we will suffer not because some bad luck will come our way, not because of "karma," but as a natural, biological consequence of our choices. This is one of the reasons why our thankfulness brings gladness to others and pleases God more than mere dutiful sacrifice of ox or bull.