Just Say Thank You

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Coming in contact with about 40 – 50 students daily, I have come to really appreciate the words “Thank you.” Though almost taken for granted, I really notice and almost become miffed when they are absent. I don’t doubt that somewhere in their heart of hearts they are actually appreciative of the small measure in which i helped them, its always better to actually here those words expressed.

Though many people mention that I am a very thankful person. I make lists on my blog, i ask people (that was a daily ending note between Cindy and I when we were in Czech Republic) and I always say “Thank God.” Yet something became a little clearer – I need to express and say thank you to GOD. My lists of “what i’m thankful for” could easily just be a list of things that made me happy. But much more than that, I should genuinely express my gratitude to the Father of Lights – every good and perfect gift (even hardships fall into this category, i’m learning) comes from Him.

So don’t be fooled into thinking that God knows you’re thankful. Say thank you TO HIM. I’m working on doing the same.

Thank you Lord…

• For the opportunity to serve on College staff. Already for the joys, the challenges and for opening up a whole world of people to get to know and invest in. It’s a whole new world, really!
• For close sisters. We joke and say its our little inner circle, but I see how you orchastrated each friendship, to run this race together – to spur each other on to love You more. Its amazing to thank that the main reason we don’t see each other more than we do is because we’re ALL serving the church family in different ways.  Thank you for your gifts you’ve given each one and how its reflected in our quirky personalities – and thank you for allowing us to laugh with each other so much. There was never a circumstance such as this that brought me to so much thanksgiving as I see pieces of your plans for our lives unveiled day by day. Thank you for growing each of us in different ways – through the first year of marriage, through singleness, through new and old jobs, through teaching students, through learning from older ladies and even in learning from each other.
• Thank you for my family. Struggles and hardships, disappointments and expectations – thank you for teaching me to pray as I learn to love them just as you continually love me. Thank you for parents that love and care for me unconditionally. Thank you for a sister that inspires me to thank about things differently. Thank you for a brother that embodies what it means to give sacrificially.
• Thank you for a job that I don’t mind doing everyday. It’s been awhile since I’ve actually enjoyed being at work.
• A financially productive way to travel to work… just today I was so thankful to hop on the bus!
• Older women in the church who take the time to invest in our lives – us being the younger, single gals who are still figuring a lot of stuff out. Thank you for opportunities to be in their lives, to watch their children, to pray with them and to really benefit from their wisdom.
• For younger sisters, biological and not so. Their joy, energy and happiness have reminded me so much to just praise the Lord. I really appreciate the opportunity to be a part of their lives and potentially have the place of directing them to the gospel. I’m so excited to see how you will continue to grow them. When I see that growth and changes in ways that honor you, I know its because you have tenderly and faithfully been the one guiding their lives. How could I not be comforted, knowing that you do the same for me?
• For scripture. I don’t always live like I appreciate the Bible – sometimes I’m sure my attitudes is a picture of resentment but through the teaching at church on difficult issues, its an assurance to have an unwavering, truthful and consistent instruction that without doubt will always point us to you.

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