The place was on Lake Michigan just off the shore of Winnetka, Illinois. There was a terrible storm in which a steamboat was slammed by another boat. The sunken steamboat lost 279 of 393 passengers to the raging waters of that Great Lake.

Edward Spencer was a bystander on shore. The tragedy was vividly in his sight. His Good Samaritan nature moved him to risk his life to save anyone he could. One by one, Mr. Spencer pulled victims to the safety of the shore. Seventeen were brought to safety before the young, strong man collapse from the strain and fatigue of his efforts. He later learned that the nerves in his legs were so severely damaged that walking would never again be possible. For the rest of his life his mobility would depend upon a wheel chair.

At age eighty, long after this tragic and life changing event, he was asked what stood out most about that day and the days following. "Not one person came back to thank me, not then, not ever!"

Unspeakable, atrocious are thoughts that might come our minds. How could anyone be unthankful after another had risked their life to save mine? But wait; ask yourself how many times have you and I taken the time to thank God for all He has done for us? The story of ten lepers is revealed in Luke 17:11-19. Only one out the ten lepers that were healed came back to thank the Lord? The Lord said, “Were not the ten cleansed? but where are the nine? Were there none found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger?”

Thankfulness is frequently addressed in the New Testament. We aren't to do good deeds simply to be noticed or even thanked. We are required though to be thankful. The apostle Paul admonishes God's people to be thankful, "In everything give thanks" (1 Thessalonians 5:1.



When we can do little else, we can pray and be thankful.

Thank you for being the great people you are.

Mike

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Hi, Sharon.

You are right, of course, gratitude often goes unexpressed to the person performing the good deed, but this is the way of the world, I'm afraid.

Some people find it very difficult to accept that they really are fallible and not self sufficient and find it very difficult to put into words what they really want to say - Thank you are two of the hardest words to put together for many people.

Also, nowadays, you simply have to accept that the modern day teachings do not include the necessity to give thanks. We live in a society that expects to receive everything on a platter and, in which, doing a good deed is to create embarassment. (Where, for example, in the new view of the Law of Attraction does it say you should give thanks. It doesn't - what it does say is that 'you are entitled to .....')

For the most part, I believe that our good deeds receive indirect thanks as the people we aid, go to the aid of others because of the example they have been set.

As you say, we do not carry out good deeds in the expectation of thanks and appreciation but because we know no other way of behaving. Thanks or no thanks.

Most people are inherrently kind and appreciative at heart - just slow (or even unable) to show it.

The Old Coot

WOW Sharon - thanks for posting a great human interest story.  I sent it to friends and family. What's most important is that Mr. Spenser SAVED LIVES....not that he got bunches of "thank you's."  I can't imagine not telling the person who saved me God Bless you for risking your life to save mine!

That is what Jesus did for us!!!   Pat