A few weeks ago, at the end of our Sunday church service, a beautiful young woman came up to me, absolutely beaming.
“Do you remember me?” she asked.
Before I could respond to say that she looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t actually place her, out tumbled her story.
A story of how she had come forward for prayer a few weeks ago. How she had been drawn to me, out of all the people standing at the front, ready to offer prayer.
How she and her husband had been dreading what lay ahead of them in that particular week. How it was a week that was going to be bookended by an oncology appointment at the start, and their young son’s birthday party at the end, with a whole lot of life in between.
How God had shown up that week, in utterly unexpected ways. How she had been able to see specific answers to specific prayers. Including, apparently, the particular things I had prayed into with her.
How she had been given the all-clear by the consultant. How her son, none the wiser, had been able to celebrate his birthday, with cake and candles and balloons and fun and games. How she now felt able to invest into him afresh, without worrying about her health and her future.
“I just wanted to say thank you,” she said, still beaming broadly.
Then she turned on her heel and headed off into the sea of people milling around at the end of the service … and I wondered whether she realised how God had just used her to encourage me.
***
There is a story in the Bible about a time when Jesus miraculously healed ten lepers. (It’s in Luke 17:11-19.) Nine of them went on their way. Only one of them took time to say thank you to Jesus.
That leper blessed Jesus.
A few weeks ago, the beautiful young woman blessed me.
***
As you ponder this reflection, let me ask you this:
Why is saying thank you always such a blessing? What difference does it make when we say it? What is lost when we don’t?
Is there anyone you need to thank? Maybe it’s a friend, relative, colleague or neighbour? Maybe it’s God? Whoever it is, why don’t you bless them by saying thank you?
As ever, constructive comments are welcome below.
***
Please note: This is my ‘thought for the month’ reflection for March. (You can find all my ‘thought for the month’ reflections here.)
Also, if you’re interested in reading another reflection on thankfulness, you’ll find one here.
Photo by Adrian via Pixabay
4 Comments
Thankfulness is so powerful. It is so encouraging but it also opens up the way for God to do more! And saying thank you is so easy to do, whether to someone else or to God.
I’m so glad you’ve been reminded of the power, encouragement and ease of saying thank you, Joy!
I’m not sure people understand how much a simple thank you means to people. Most people don’t do things so they can be thanked, but when we do get thanked, it is very encouraging. Thank you for reminding us of this, Joanna.
Thanks Janet!