Gratitude Day 339

Tues., Oct. 15, 2019

2 Timothy 1:5: I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

October is filled with lots of good things.

Football games.

All things pumpkin.

Apples.

Corn mazes.

Warm sweaters.

Soup.

Another notable aspect of October?

It’s Pastor Appreciation month.

Before I lose you here … can you please just hang with me for a minute or two?

I know that I come at this from a little different perspective. I’ve been a pastor for 20 years. I’m not currently serving a church(es), and I want to give a little shout-out for my colleagues.

I know there are ALL kinds of special days/months. Sometimes, we wonder if Hallmark or someone who wanted to sell cards and candy and stuff came up with these “special” days. While some of these days zip by and I barely notice or recognize them, I’m advocating for Pastor Appreciation Month.

I realize that not everyone who reads this blog has someone that they consider their “pastor.” That’s OK. However, has someone ever baptized your child(ren)? Called on a loved one while at a hospital? Helped your family with a memorial service or funeral? There’s a good chance the person who provided service(s) was a pastor.

I’m not asking you to do something outlandish or wild … unless you want to. I’m asking you to think of the person who you would consider calling if you were in dire straits. Send them a card, preferably a handwritten one (e-mail only if you don’t have their address) and share how much you appreciated them and their services. If you want to do just a little more? Buy them a coffee card or a CD of their Christian band or bring a surprise lunch to their office one day. (True story – one October, a woman brought lunch to the church office. We sat in hard chairs and munched on greasy burgers and oily fries. It was WONDERFUL.)

I know we are all have lots of things to do. We have countless options of things we SHOULD do today. Can you add just one more little thing to your list? Appreciate the person who has been a spiritual guide to you. Let them know this. Share how your life is different because of something they did or said or how they were just present. We all have people who have assisted us spiritually. Whether they are a “pastor” or a person who lives faith, just let them know that you appreciate them. It’s what gets them through during their bad days.

I speak of this … because I know this. When I’m having a bad day, sometimes I pull out my “Dianne” file. Yes, I really do have one. It’s in the credenza with all the other files that I keep, whether I really need them or not. In the “Dianne” folder, I find cards people sent me to thank me. Encourage me. Show their appreciation. On those days when I’m feeling like I’m not sure what I do makes a difference, sometimes, I put this folder out. Read what people sent me. Gave me. Wanted me to read and hear. And often, it makes me feel just a little better. No matter how vain it sounds to have a folder with your name on it, it’s a place where I can keep those things that I do want to remember. Especially on bad days.

Paul wrote his good friend Timothy two letters. In the second letter, Paul reminds Timothy of how his mother and grandmother influenced his faith. Did Eunice and Lois get to read or see this letter? I have no clue. What I do know is that we’re still talking about them, thousands of years later because they made a difference in a person’s life.

Make a difference in a person’s life today. Let the person who helps you spiritually know it makes a difference in your life.

For the opportunity to appreciate my spiritual guides, I am grateful. 

Dear God – Thank you for bringing into our lives people who have helped us with our faith. May we be encouraged to let them know the difference their presence has made in our lives. Amen.

Blessings –

Dianne

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