About 2000 years ago, in his letter to the church at Phillipi, Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Paul was referring to Jesus Christ. And there is no strength like that which comes when it is Jesus who provides the wind beneath your wings. Nothing compares to it.

However, there are those awesome individuals whose example, faithful prayers, friendship or just their existence give us cause to go on. To do our best. To make our lives on earth matter.

Think about them. It's almost November. Thanksgiving Day is coming up. Start your list now. That list of folks you need to contact some time, during this special, almost magical, month, to say “Thank you for being the wind beneath my wings.”

Okay, you may not need, or want, to be that dramatic. Forget the wind beneath the wings line and just think of those to whom you should say a simple “thank you.” Two little words that may be long overdue.

Is it a long lost friend? A family member? A co-worker? A nameless face you've seen around who always smiles... Ah, yes, they all touch our lives.

Let this be the month you reach back to touch theirs.

Life is short at best. Don't blow it by never taking time to give back to those who have given so much to you.

Ah, you think you have never had “so much.” You say there are no folks to contact with a word of thanks. Think again. They are there. You may be so wrapped in self pity or self centeredness that you just can't see them. Force open the eyes of your heart.

Remember the context in which Paul wrote the words I quoted in my first paragraph, words that are so often quoted out of context. In the fourth chapter of Phillipians, Paul mentioned joy, prayer, thanksgiving, peace... and gave instructions about the things we should let our mind dwell on if we would have peace rule in our lives. Then he moves into the bit about doing all things through Jesus Christ.

The following passage is from The New American Standard version of the Bible (my personal favorite):

“...I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you revived your concern for me; indeed you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Nevertheless you have done well to share with me in my affliction.”

Get the picture?

Paul was saying thank you.

He was appreciative of all that those folks had done for him, and even what they had wanted to do when they could do nothing. Isn't that wild? Think about it. He was saying thank you for something tangible and for the intangible desire on their part to care for him in the past when they could do nothing.

Indeed, we all have folks like that in our lives. Maybe you are thinking now of someone you've not seen in a decade or longer. Maybe it's someone you see every day. Make contact. With the written word preferably. Give them something to hold on to, the way you hold to your memories of them and what they have done for you.

Of course you don't have to write it yourself. Go to your local book store or card shop and browse. When you find the perfect book or card, buy it, sign it and tell the recipient you could say it no better, but this is how you feel.

Chances are you will find something already written that will help you convey the message you want to send. None of it goes our way alone, you know. So much of what we feel and so many of the struggles we think are uniquely our own are really universal. Yep, we are all in this thing called life together.

Shucks, you can even clip this column, write a little note at the bottom and tell the ones to whom you send it that this woman was writing about them.

(Actually, I might do the same thing.)

You just never know how timely a word of thanks might be. Maybe the one to whom you need to say it is going through a hard time, too. Maybe he or she needs to be reminded that hard times pass. Maybe it's time for you to blow back in their direction some of the wind that has been carrying you.

Just say “thank you.” Do it soon.

Back to News Home Page | Back to the top of the page