Sunflowers of Thanksgiving

By -
Today, I had someone put something amazing on my desk.  Beautiful sunflowers arrived to brighten my day. These sunflowers were given by a student who wanted to share something precious with Tyler, Stephanie, and me (the Aspire Youth Ministries staff).

The sunflowers came with this incredible note attached...
"Every year since we were kids my mom gives me and (my brother) sunflowers to give to the person/people we were most thankful to have in our life that year.  So this year I chose you 3. Thank you so much for everything you guys do! You rock! Happy Thanksgiving!"

I am so thankful for and humbled by this young person who took the time to send a ray of sunshine into our lives through wonderful sunflowers.  This small gesture reminds me that in this busy season of thanksgiving it is so easy to forget the small yet vitally important ways in which we can say thank you to the people in our lives for whom we give thanks.

These flowers changed me and challenged me today.  I realize that I do not say "thank you" nearly enough - especially to those with whom I work and live.

I have been changed by these sunflowers.  I am committing myself this day to say a simple "thank you" to the people in my life for whom I am grateful.  There are so many, and I am sure that I will miss some of the most important people.  However, if I begin this discipline today, then perhaps I will continue to practice it every day, and I will not leave anyone out.

Who are the people for whom you and your children are the most thankful?
What are some ways in which you can say thank you to them?
How can you and your family practice the discipline of thankful living together throughout the year?

Let me begin by saying, "Thank you" to you.

If you are reading this blog, you have undoubtedly touched my life in some way this year.  I want to thank you for journeying with me this year.  I am thankful for you and for your faithfulness.

Thank you.
Brian

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, 
give thanks in all circumstances; 
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NRSV) 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Persistence is her name (a poem)

By -
Persistence "firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition." Persistence is her name. She stands when it would be more convenient to sit. She sits when others wish she would move. She moves when action is demanded. She speaks because her voice shall not be silenced nor stolen yet again. Persistence is her name. She has birthed nations. She has ended wars. She has toppled empires. She has nursed change. Persistence is her name. Mercy is found in the milk of her breast. Empathy is seen in the tears on her cheek. Justice is felt in the sweat of her brow. Righteousness is coursing in the blood in her veins. Persistence is her name. Difficulty will not stop her. Obstacles will not stand. Opposition will not cause delay. Trouble will not linger. Persistence is her name. Nevertheless, she persisted; for Persistence IS her name. — bshivers
Read more

Sermon - Signs and Symbols: Names

By -
Image
Signs and Symbols: Names This is the second sermon in a Lenten Sermon series titled "Signs and Symbols of Faith" at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. This one focuses on Names. It was preached on Sunday, February 25, 2024. The text of the sermon can also be found below. Third Lesson: Genesis 17:1-8, 15-20 (p. 13) When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said to him, ‘I am God of the mountains; God of the high places; God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless. And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will make you exceedingly numerous.’ Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, ‘As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. I wi
Read more

Sermons - Signs and Symbols: Faith

By -
Image
Signs and Symbols: Faith/Anchor This is the fourth sermon in a Lenten Sermon series titled "Signs and Symbols of Faith" at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. This one focuses on Faith as an Anchor. It was preached on Sunday, March 10, 2024. The text of the sermon can also be found below. Second Lesson : Ephesians 2:1-10 You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which (God) loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with (Christ) and seated us with him in the heavenly p
Read more