How long has it been since you said, “Thanks” to someone?
Please hear me out. I’m not talking about the commonplace “Thanks” you might say to someone, maybe even offhandedly. I’m talking about saying “Thanks” for something that is unforgettable to you.
Last night I received a text from a young man who is going to do some work for me. He refused to take any money so I insisted on something else. Since he is doing a big project for me that involves wood (a fence), I bought him a nail gun. He ordered it; I paid for it. Since I wouldn’t let him off the hook for his work, this is a win win for both of us. He gets a nail gun to use for future jobs and I get a fence done right. Here is his text (with some slight word modification):
You forget the word ‘pastor’ and the hours and miles and all that you’ve done over the years. You reap what you sow. Your prayers and support for my parents during my drunken days and dealing with me when I was drunk last time around can never have a price put to it…and what have you done for every other family in the congregation? I’m the one taking advantage of you having you buy the nail gun. I have other tools, but you wouldn’t settle any other way. Thank you. You are appreciated.
WOW! I was overwhelmed to say the least. And I DID NOT post this for you to toot my own horn. With health stuff going on inside and outside my family; with being in the midst of a very busy season (when it should be slowing down) in church life; and more; I was humbled by what he wrote. Here was my text back to him:
You are right. I wouldn’t settle for it any other way. It was either buy the gun or pay you. It was a win win for both of us. As for the other, I am deeply honored to pastor this church. After 21 1/2 years I love these people more than my own breath. As a shepherd I know no other way than to love them. And your parents? I consider them more than sheep. I consider them friends.
I write this to make a point (and it is not to bolster my ego). Being a shepherd to sheep involves more than staying in an office and being distant. A shepherd is among his sheep. A shepherd watches over his flock. To borrow from The Way of the Shepherd by Leman/Pentak (a book every leader ought to be required to read): “Know the condition of your flock.” That is principle #1 of 6. I’ll share the others in future posts.
This young man lightened my load last night. All it took was a well-timed and well-worded text. YOU CAN DO THAT!
Speaking from the viewpoint of a 50-year veteran in ministry with my husband, appreciation means so much more than gifts or money. It can keep you going when you want to give up and can assure you that you are not a failure when you wonder if you are making a difference. I have NO doubts that you and Jo have touched others lives with the love of Jesus in so many more ways than you realize.
Thanks Pam. I’m sure you and Dick do understand what I wrote about. Investing in lives is never a waste. I do pray we have touched lives with the love of Jesus that will see results in eternity.
What a wonderful testimony to the power of gratitude in our lives, Bill. I know you’re not writing this in order to toot your own horn, as you never do, but to make us all more aware of how simply letting another know what he or she means to us goes a long, long way. Thank you for being a faithful shepherd to each member of your flock!
Blessings!
Thanks Martha. I’m glad you can see the real reason here. You are right: a simple letting another know goes a long way.
Thanks for sharing Bill, feel good story’s are so needed, and a really nice way to start the day. I am not sure how many times gratitude and thankfulness appear in the Bible but I would say well over 100 times. Certainly enough to remind us that being grateful and thankful, should come freely from our heart and our mouths. Taking the time to send out a thank-you card, a heartfelt text, and thank-you hug, truly showing gratitude to someone should be something that not only fills the heart of the recipient, but also our own heart with love for that gift.
I’m with you Gail. It just dumbfounds me as to the insensitivity of people who can’t say thanks via text or a note. I like writing thank you notes because that is much more personal. I do hope my story was taken just as you said: a feel good one-and not used to bolster my ego.