This past week, I was doubly blessed. First, I was able as a pastor to view with pride the beautiful, spontaneous Christian response of the church to a family in need. And secondly, I was able to feel that love first hand, for we were that family in need that was receiving the overwhelming love!
The word had gotten around that medical bills were becoming an increasing burden on us. Our faith that God would show us the way to meet these obligations didn’t waver, but as time unfolded we were more and more aware that there was no sudden light revealing paths to resolution. Then the choir sent the music minister, Doug Hornbeck, to visit with me. He brought beautiful mes-sages of encouragement and with them an idea of how the choir wanted to meet more than half of our need! To say we were overjoyed is an understatement. Once more, our abundant God has used the generosity of those who follow Him to enfold and bless us all.
This is the season of Thanksgiving. Wanda and I are truly thankful . . . and are filled with such over-powering feelings that we don’t even know how to respond adequately. Indeed, I struggled with just the right combination of words and clever phrases to let you be able to understand our feelings – but the feelings are just too important for words. So, I’ll let Wanda’s words speak for us both: “Thank you, choir, for being God’s answer to our prayers.”
Perhaps you have experienced this kaleidoscoping of emotions. Perhaps you can recall a time when someone reached out to you when you were lonely or lost and gave you a new perspective on yourself. Perhaps you know how you felt when that good neighbor brought in a simple casserole steaming with love after that draining funeral service. Perhaps you remember that unexpected call from a friend that picked your spirits up or set you on the right course again. Perhaps you possess that secret treasured memory of opening up that special gift that had seemed so outrageously impossible. Perhaps you can relive the excited awe of an answered prayer. These are miracles. These are some of the ways God touches us through others.
This is a portion of our swelling, inexpressible emotion Wanda and I are feeling this Thanksgiving. And all I am left with is a most unoriginal “Thank you.” Perhaps that is all Christians need to say to the out-pouring of love.