Thank you for...

I appreciate you

because...

Independent, capable, self-starting people that we are, we are still created for community. There's just no escaping it. Even the most hermit-like among us has to come up for air occasionally to interact with other living beings. 

We need each other. 

From the moment of birth we become indebted to others for our care, our comfort, and our very survival. Because of others we not only survive, we succeed and thrive. We achieve and accomplish. The circumstances will change over the course of our lifetimes, but we will always need one another. 

The result: we will always have someone to thank for something. Think about those who have given you a word of support or encouragement, the waitress who always serves you well, the author who writes words that touch your soul or just entertain you, the agency that worked with you to accomplish a task, the woman who cleans your house, the people who keep your city safe, the godly man or woman who teaches your kids, your pastor who stands in the gap and supports and prays for you...

We say thank you quickly and often more as an automatic response rather than a heartfelt sentiment. Sometimes something with a little more substance is in order. 

This time of year I am usually writing Christmas cards so that they're ready to drop in the mail box the day after Thanksgiving. This year I'm doing something a little different. Instead of working on Christmas cards, I am making a list of people who have helped and supported me in some way this year. I will send a thank you card to each of them stating specifically how they have touched my life. 

It will 1) be a great reminder for me of all the blessings in my life, and 2) I hope it will serve to encourage these people to thank the special ones in their lives. Who knows where this could lead??

How about you? Who are the special ones in your life who have made a difference this year? Start your list here:

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

I know you can think of many more than five. Keep going. Find some thank you cards or just grab some notebook paper. I really prefer handwritten notes for this kind of thing. I think it's so much more personal, but if you must (sigh!) an email will do in a pinch. 

Take a few moments to invest in someone today. The investment will pay off in your own life and you will be obedient to the teachings of scripture to encourage one another. As you write the notes thank God for that person and ask for his blessings on them. Can you think of a more productive way to spend a few minutes? 

Your turn:  How do you show thanks to the special ones in your life? Share your thoughts in a comment today. Here's a start for you...

Thank you for reading my blog. It means a lot to me that you make time to come here and spend a few minutes each day. I appreciate you more than you know. Each one of you is a blessing to me and I am truly thankful for you.