Thank You!

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. (Romans 1:8 KJV)

Paul was writing to the church at Rome, but I’m writing about my church family, here in Paradise. I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all – and I don’t think I’ve said that enough.

I was reminded Wednesday night when a young husband, after asking about my Beloved Husband’s health, also asked if there was any way at all he could be of help to us. Truthfully, there was nothing.  I explained how our children have stepped up to do so many of the necessary things we can no longer accomplish.

I also told him we knew he – and so many others – were praying, that we knew it was helping and we appreciated that so very much. He’s not alone, of course.  We’ve had gracious offers to do everything from coming to visit to taking BH for his plasmapheresis procedures.

Several members took turns driving another of our members to and from her dialysis.  Second Daughter remembers those trips with fondness for the time spent chatting about the patient’s memories, her faith in God, never complaining about the journey and always greeting her nurses with cheerful words.

Paul thanked God for another church, too:

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. (1 Thessalonians 2:13 KJV)

They listened to the gospel, accepted it as truth and allowed God to work effectively in their lives.  So have these who offer their time, their effort, their prayers and their Christian love. Not because they love us (though they may like us a bit):

For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. (Luke 6:32 KJV)

They do it because they love the God who loves them:

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. (Luke 6:31 KJV)

So – I say “Thank you,” aware that I don’t say it often enough – to our children, our family, our friends, our brothers and sisters in Christ, to those around the world praying with us. Thank you for all you do, not just for us, but all those around you where you see their needs.

May the Lord bless you as He did the Children of Israel:

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. (Numbers 6:24-26 KJV)