There are several things I’d like to change in our culture. Some of my opins are a bit incendiary, and so much has already been (and continues to be) written, that for now I’ll leave such topics for those so inclined to pontificate. This, then, is not a biggie, but really, why in the world do we still expect new mothers and new widows to write thank you notes for their friends’ expressions of affection? And worse, why would someone even think about being offended if such a note doesn’t arrive in a “timely” manner (whatever that is, although I’m sure that’s also covered in mother’s long-standing book on proper etiquette.)
Please don’t misunderstand, I’m all about saying “thank you”. About acknowledging someone’s help. Certainly, we all could use more of an attitude of gratitude these days.
The same could have been said about a guy named (are you ready for this one?) Mordecai. He was a Jewish official in the pagan king’s court, and even though his home had been overrun by this monarch’s army, he remained faithful to God by doing his job with gusto, which, by the way, included saving the king’s life. We pick up the story:
“That night the king had trouble sleeping, so he ordered an attendant to bring the book of the history of his reign so it could be read to him. [Yeah, that would put me to sleep, too.] In those records he discovered an account of how Mordecai had exposed the plot of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the eunuchs who guarded the door to the king’s private quarters. They had plotted to assassinate King Xerxes.”
We don’t know just how long a time had elapsed between Mordecai’s service and the king’s recognition of it. The account goes on to say that the king then ordered for Mordecai to be honored, but how, he wonders? So King Xerxes decides to ask the first person who walks into the court (kings were not patient people). The lucky person happens to be a high court official named Haman, the inveterate Jew-hater, who had just hatched a gruesome plot to have Mordecai impaled on a pole, and then to annihilate the whole nation of Israel. Of course, it is Haman who now is commanded to honor Mordecai for this forgotten act of loyalty (but not forgotten by God), and in a very public way at that.
The point: God’s timing is perfect. If Mordecai had pushed for honor and recognition at the time his service, he just might have ended up as high-flying bird food. We would be wise to follow Mordecai’s example and be patient for God’s justice, both recognition and restitution.
Even if it’s just for a much deserved “thank you”.
Esther 6:1,2 Tyndale House Publishers Inc (2008-06-01). The One Year Bible NLT (One Year Bible: Nlt Book 2) (Kindle Locations 26834-26837). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.
INSPIRATION with an ATTITUDE 
High-flying bird food, huh? Like that analogy. Good post.
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