As I left church today a woman followed behind me tapping me. I turned around and she stopped me saying “do you remember me?” I smiled and told the woman “hello”, then guiltily admitted that I did not remember her. She told me it was fine and reminded me that she was the mother of two twin girls by the name of Amber and Ariellle who both were participants in two of the programs I launched last summer. I immediately remembered who she was and knew exactly who the girls were when she brought up their names.
The woman went on to let me know that she could not remember my name but she definitely recognized my face. She wanted to let me know that both Amber and Arielle had just completed Google’s Summer Institute program this summer and they were both accepted into the University of Michigan on full ride scholarships. Elated about this news I naturally threw my hand up, gave her a high five and let her know “that right there is nothing but God…..you don’t just have one, but two children who have been covered”. She laughed at me and told me that none of this could have happened if it were not for me and the work I did for the programs last summer. We closed out the conversation with her looking me in the eyes and sincerely saying “thank you”. When I heard those two words after everything she had said, there was something about them in that very moment that touched me.
The woman went on to let me know that she could not remember my name but she definitely recognized my face. She wanted to let me know that both Amber and Arielle had just completed Google’s Summer Institute program this summer and they were both accepted into the University of Michigan on full ride scholarships. Elated about this news I naturally threw my hand up, gave her a high five and let her know “that right there is nothing but God…..you don’t just have one, but two children who have been covered”. She laughed at me and told me that none of this could have happened if it were not for me and the work I did for the programs last summer. We closed out the conversation with her looking me in the eyes and sincerely saying “thank you”. When I heard those two words after everything she had said, there was something about them in that very moment that touched me.
Thank you is a general statement that people say to express their appreciation or acknowledgement for something. Why it is a common phrase that we frequently hear in our day to day communication, it has come to my attention this past month how infrequently people explain why they are saying ‘thank you’. This month I believe that God would like for me to inform everyone reading this blog about the power in expressing why you are thankful to someone when they have done something to positively impact your life.
In the Common English Bible, I love reading 2 Corinthians when it begins to talk about ‘Encouragement to Give Generously’. Chapter 9 verses 10- 15 states:
10 The one who supplies seed for planting and bread for eating will supply and multiply your seed and will increase your crop, which is righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous in every way. Such generosity produces thanksgiving to God through us. 12 Your ministry of this service to God’s people isn’t only fully meeting their needs but it is also multiplying in many expressions of thanksgiving to God. 13 They will give honor to God for your obedience to your confession of Christ’s gospel. They will do this because this service provides evidence of your obedience, and because of your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone. 14 They will also pray for you, and they will care deeply for you because of the outstanding grace that God has given to you.15 Thank God for his gift that words can’t describe!
In the Common English Bible, I love reading 2 Corinthians when it begins to talk about ‘Encouragement to Give Generously’. Chapter 9 verses 10- 15 states:
10 The one who supplies seed for planting and bread for eating will supply and multiply your seed and will increase your crop, which is righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous in every way. Such generosity produces thanksgiving to God through us. 12 Your ministry of this service to God’s people isn’t only fully meeting their needs but it is also multiplying in many expressions of thanksgiving to God. 13 They will give honor to God for your obedience to your confession of Christ’s gospel. They will do this because this service provides evidence of your obedience, and because of your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone. 14 They will also pray for you, and they will care deeply for you because of the outstanding grace that God has given to you.15 Thank God for his gift that words can’t describe!
Sometimes it may become easy to get so caught up in our own life that we forget just how special we are or how the simple things we do may touch the lives of others in some way, shape or form. To hear a description of why someone is thankful for a true impact that you made when you did not know you made one is inspiring. For me, the woman who stopped to thank me today helped me grasp a better understanding of how God’s will may be done through our work or our daily interactions whether we recognize it or not. It also helped bring to light the immense power in hearing a kind word from someone who you unknowingly helped along the way. I like to think of it as a ripple effect: when one person reaches out to explain why they are thankful to another person, it has the power to inspire that person to proceed with genuine acts of kindness and gratitude that will touch the lives of others, and so on and so forth.
We have all been touched by individuals who have impacted our lives in an extraordinary way. The teacher who looks you in your eye every morning and asks, “how was your night”. The homeless man on the street who happily smiles and wishes you a blessed day every morning on your way to work. The person at church who reaches out and hugs you on a Sunday morning when you are feeling low. The coworker who smiles at you across your desk when you guys are swamped at work and you feel like you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. The mother who walks into your room when she thinks you are sleeping and kisses you on your forehead. The father who lets you know that he’s got your back no matter what the circumstances may be.
How many of you reading this blog can honestly admit that some individuals who have impacted your life may not even know how much of an impact that they truly have had? This month, I challenge everyone reading this blog to reflect on someone who has helped enrich your life in some way. Take the time to reach out to that person and explain to them why you are thankful for the impact that they have made.
I am thankful to each person who has ever taken the time to read a DistinctlyBlessed blog or read a post that I have shared through DistinctlyBlessed on social media. It has been because of your views, your likes, your reposts, your kind messages that have inspired me to keep doing the work that I do through DistinctlyBlessed. I pray that God not only reaches you in a profound way through this ministry but I pray for a ripple effect that will begin to reach others simply because God reached you through this ministry.
How many of you reading this blog can honestly admit that some individuals who have impacted your life may not even know how much of an impact that they truly have had? This month, I challenge everyone reading this blog to reflect on someone who has helped enrich your life in some way. Take the time to reach out to that person and explain to them why you are thankful for the impact that they have made.
I am thankful to each person who has ever taken the time to read a DistinctlyBlessed blog or read a post that I have shared through DistinctlyBlessed on social media. It has been because of your views, your likes, your reposts, your kind messages that have inspired me to keep doing the work that I do through DistinctlyBlessed. I pray that God not only reaches you in a profound way through this ministry but I pray for a ripple effect that will begin to reach others simply because God reached you through this ministry.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We honor your name and give you praise. Thank you for hand picking us as your footmen on earth. It is a divine privilege and an esteemed honor to carry out intricate pieces of your will to instill kindness, gratitude and generosity into the world. We love you, we adore you, and we are sincerely grateful for having you in our lives, for without you we would be nothing.
We pray for grace and peace so that we may be able continuously enlarge righteousness. It is a pure blessing to be a blessing to others and let thy will be done through us (Matthew 6:10 NIV). Thank you for blessing us with the gift of generosity. May you always protect our gift and cover our spirits. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17 NIV).
Heavenly Father,
We honor your name and give you praise. Thank you for hand picking us as your footmen on earth. It is a divine privilege and an esteemed honor to carry out intricate pieces of your will to instill kindness, gratitude and generosity into the world. We love you, we adore you, and we are sincerely grateful for having you in our lives, for without you we would be nothing.
We pray for grace and peace so that we may be able continuously enlarge righteousness. It is a pure blessing to be a blessing to others and let thy will be done through us (Matthew 6:10 NIV). Thank you for blessing us with the gift of generosity. May you always protect our gift and cover our spirits. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17 NIV).