Being Thankful with Milo

Being Thankful

Have you ever received something which has surprised you?
At the very beginning of Milo’s Money, Milo has just been helping his Uncle to do a job. He’s been helping him paint the outside of his house. This event starts off a whole new journey of discovery for Milo! His Uncle is so grateful, he decides to give Milo a gift, in this instance, the gift of money for helping him. Milo isn’t used to money and so begins his adventure into discovering what it’s all for and what he can do with it.

Sometimes that’s true for us too. I wonder if you can think of an occasion when someone you know has given you a gift to show you how thankful they are. It may be that you did something to help them, just like Milo helped his Uncle. It could be that the gift was a recognition that you are appreciated as a person. It could be that the gift is an expression of affection for the celebration of a significant event, like a birthday.

Some of the best gifts are ones which are unexpected. Milo was happy just to be helping his Uncle; it was fun spending time with him and doing something different. He wasn’t expecting the gift in return. You may be able to think now of a gift you have received unexpectedly from someone who just wanted to thank you for being a friend, or maybe to thank you for helping – even though you helped because you could.

There are many reasons why we give and receive gifts, but at the heart of it is a sense of thankfulness. The giver is often showing the receiver that they are thankful to have that person as part of their life and the gift is a way of expressing that gratitude. The gift doesn’t have to be lavish and expensive, often the best gifts are just something which emphasises the connection you have with that person.

Perhaps this week you could think about someone who has helped you, someone you have enjoyed spending time with just like Milo’s Uncle enjoyed spending time with just like Milo’s Uncle enjoyed spending time with Milo while they painted. What could you do, as a surprise for that person, to show how thankful you are for the ways in which they have helped you?