Thanks and Gratitude

We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.  We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1: 2-3  

I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.  I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.  Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you have refreshed the hearts of the saints.

Philemon 1:4-6

In October 2009, our youngest son, Joel, had the opportunity to spend four weeks in Ireland as part of his senior year studies at Hastings College. Much time was spent making plans, by Hastings College administrators, to insure the quality and safety of this trip for the five students selected as “guinea pigs” for this new program. Projects of interest were pondered and researched by the “Irish Fellows”, as the students were called, to determine what his or her course of study would be while in Ireland.  After much contemplation and prayer, Joel chose to study the concept of pilgrimage. He read several books and articles on pilgrimage along with checking out other people’s definitions of pilgrimage. He then began to “search” for his own personal definition by making plans to have such an experience himself while in Ireland.

Before leaving, the “Irish Fellows” took classes in Irish history, literature and religion. One of Joel’s requirements was to write a blog about his feelings and experiences as he prepared for this trip and then during his time in Ireland. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to read and share in the thoughts of our then 22 year old and be able, from far away, to experience his experiences, to share in his questioning, and to be in wonder at the way he could express himself and, at times, give clarity to some of my own personal frustrations and worries.

One day, as I was reading one of Joel’s blog entries, it became clear to me the vast amount of influence many of you at Eastridge Church had on his life, both personally and spiritually. Faces and names came to mind as I continued reading. It became very evident that I needed to express my thanks to our church family for the many ways you helped in his development as a young Christian. With that in mind, I’d like to express my deep and sincere gratitude to each of you who:

            - spent time planning Sunday School and Bible school lessons when you could have gone to the movies;

            - poured over vocal octavos and hand bell music when you really just wanted to sit down and listen to your favorite CDs;

            - made phone calls and sent emails to secure arrangements for mission trips when you could have been making plans for your own vacation;

            - traveled on these mission trips when you could have used this time for your own personal “get-aways”;

            - took the time to attend youth fund-raisers when shopping at Gateway might have been more appealing;

            - shared your time as a mentor or youth sponsor, officially or unofficially, when you could have chosen to spend that same time in quiet solitude;

            - accepted, and tried to answer, the “hard” questions that were asked when you could have pretended to not hear;

            - provided a shoulder to cry on or a listening ear when you could have turned and walked away;

            - showed your faith through your actions instead of “hiding it under a bushel”;

            - gave an encouraging smile when your own worries and troubles were overwhelming.

Prayer: Dear Lord: My thankfulness and gratitude runs deep for our Eastridge church family.  So many have been instrumental in the spiritual and personal development of our children and youth over the years. In both big and small ways, may each of us continue to see how we can share the talents you have given us to build up, encourage and support our own community of faith along with the various communities that reside outside our church’s walls. May our lives always be a testament to your love, grace and faithfulness.  Amen.

Patty Niemann (reprinted from January 2009)