Give Thanks for Those Who’ve Encouraged Us
Rainbow
Since Thursdays are ‘thanks’ days, let’s give thanks for those who’ve encouraged us. When possible, it’s best to do this face-to-face, because expressing thanks encourages them. That’s fair, I believe. Reciprocating encouragement will spark other great things.
How?
Aside from being face-to-face, how we choose to give thanks for those who’ve encouraged us could take almost any form. Some ladies in my church congregation consider it a ministry to send greeting cards for birthdays and other holidays. Others, with green thumbs, bless their friends with garden abundance. Chard, herbs, zucchini, and other good things. I particularly look forward to opening the Christmas card from one family, because the man writes such encouraging letters to add to the well-chosen card.
It could be fun to spontaneously wash a neighbor’s car, or hand write an actual letter to add some unexpected surprise to their daily life. Encouraging someone else makes a break in the repetitive parts of a day that otherwise leave us feeling flat.
What if you can’t tell them?
If the person who has encouraged you has gone on to be with Jesus, make a point to tell those they left behind. You’ll lighten their sorrow. If you can’t find any of those people, then tell God. He enjoys hearing his children give thanks.
Follow a godly example.
Give thanks for those who’ve encouraged us. We’ll be following the example of the Apostle Paul, who made a distinct point of thanking the churches to whom he wrote. He had experienced their hospitality, and their eagerness to learn and believe the Gospel he brought. “We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.” Reading that had to boost the spirits of the Thessalonians, and we can do it for others.
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Ruth DeMaat
Heidi Kortman