I’ve written approximately 17 bazillion thank you notes over the last number of months and I love it. Nothing is better than a handwritten, personal note in the mail, but I often run out of space and adequate words to express the depth of my gratitude.
The fundraising process has given me a lot of frustrating moments, when choosing gratitude doesn’t seem logical or easy, but I’m learning to thank God in advance for money that’s not yet in my account, because I know that it will arrive. But there have also been a lot of moments when circumstances are such that gratitude is the only choice; moments when it feels as though my heart is swelling Grinch-style (not literally, of course. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy would not be good), and moments when my tummy is sick with the sweetness and richness of yours and God’s blessings.
In these moments my words always seem to fall flat. The realization that I am just hundreds of dollars away from the $10,000 necessary to launch sent me to that place – full heart, warm and fuzzy tummy, tied tongue.
So here are some heart-felt (mildly edited) words that Paul wrote to the Phillipians that take the jumble of feelings in my heart and thoughts in my brain, sort them into letters and words, and rearrange them to make sense.
To all who have given financially, prayerfully, in kind words, words of wisdom, and in time in life-giving conversation with me:
“Every time I think of you (which is daily), I thank God for you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now (and beyond), being confident of this; that he who began a good work in (us) will carry it on to completion until the day when Christ Jesus returns.
It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and all of you share in God’s grace with me. God knows how much I love you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.
I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want (us) to understand what really matters, so that (we) may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.
May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation – the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ – for this will bring much glory and praise to God.”
So thank you. That’s not enough, but thank you.
Thank you for sharing the blessings God’s given you with me so that I can share the greatest blessing of all with people all over the world.
Thank you for trusting me to steward your goodness and your blessings.
Thank you for believing in the good works that God is capable of doing through me, who is not capable of any of this alone.
Thank you for enabling me and trusting me to represent you, your love, your generosity, your kindness, your heart for others, and most importantly, Christ in you, to so many.
Thank you for joining this journey with me. Just 24 days from launch and I can’t wait to share with you what you’re making possible.
