“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confidend of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:3-6 NIV
Last Thursday was Thanksgiving. Hopefully the reason or spirit of the holiday is not being lost to consumerism, but I won’t get into that right now. The holiday is meant for a recognition of the gifts of the harvest- things which make life possible. It’s a celebration of the work that’s been done and the fruit of that labor that will hopefully provide sustenance through the dark winter months.
Maybe we should take a cue from the American holiday. Maybe it’s time to look back at the work that’s been done and be thankful. It’s time to put down the to-do lists and agendas long enough to recognize blessings and give thanks for them.
What are some blessings in your life and ministry? Or maybe who are some blessings in your life and ministry? One of my mother’s Christmas traditions always puzzled me: she would give every family member a packet of thank you notes. When I was young, this seemed worse than socks! But as I grew up, I started understanding the necessity and the blessing of saying “thank you.”
This week or maybe next, block out some time to say thanks. Maybe hand write notes to volunteers, leaders, youth, or donors that have blessed you and your ministry this year. But also try to say more than thanks spend some time thinking about ways to identify how you have been blessed by what you’ve received.