Yesterday, I got a chance to say “thank you.” And if felt great!
I went to lunch with one of our amazing local EMS providers on Tuesday and got there a couple minutes before he did. The host greeted me and noticed I had my fire service jacket on. After a couple statements back and forth, he shared with me that he wasn’t a part of a hall at all right now but he took some CERT (Community Emergency Response Training) courses awhile back and had to use it recently as one of his customers was choking. He recalled his training and used the Heimlich maneuver to free the blockage and save her life. As he retold the story, he laughed and said: “It wasn’t pretty, but it worked.”
And then I had this incredible sacred moment to just say the simple words: “Thank you for using your gifts.” As I said those words, I felt connected to him, to that story, to that moment, to that save. And I felt better about my day! It felt great.
Paul, the guy that wrote a bunch of the books in the New Testament part of the Bible, started one called Philippeans by saying this to the people that lived there and were starting a church up: “Every time I think of you, I thank God for you.” He STARTED it that way. A simple thank you for the things they did, were doing, and were yet to do. And in that interaction, he was connected to them. And it was good.
I know most of you don’t do what you do for a thank you. That’s not why we do ministry. That’s not why we have kids. That’s not why we put effort in at work. That’s not why we coach or teach. But giving and receiving thanks is about something much greater: connection to one another. I’m forever connected to a guy in a restaurant because of his story and my opportunity to say thanks. I’m connected to the people that have stopped to thank me and for the sacred conversations I’ve had with others when I’ve had the chance to thank them.
I want to invite you to thank someone. Someone in your church. Your family that supports you. Your coworker/boss that challenges you. Your coach who trains you. Your counselor who listens to you. Your friend that puts up with you and laughs with you. Call – text – write – show up – and let then know what that the small or large, one time or over time interaction has meant to you.
You will bless them by doing it. And you will be blessed by doing it. And it will feel great!
Lord, thank you! And help me to thank another and be connected through that moment! Amen
Still in One Peace,
PS