{ Thank You }

I very recently read a devotion about giving a "second thank you" with the idea being saying thank you to someone again for something they did for you, but giving the second thank you at a later date, even possibly months later. The author of the devotion gave some examples of how these second thank you's often come at a time in the other person's life when they really need the encouragement.  

Isn't that something we all need?

To be encouraged by others!

Did y'all realize that's even part of God's instructions to us?

1 Thessalonians 5:11

So encourage each other and build each other up, 

just as you are already doing.

Hebrews 10:24

 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

Ephesians 4:29

Don’t use foul or abusive language.

 Let everything you say be good and helpful, 

so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

As I read the devotion, I was reminded of the story in the Bible about God healing the ten lepers (Luke 17:15-16) This was part of the THANKSgiving song our little ones sang on SONday. Out of those ten men whom Jesus healed, only one returned to give Him thanks. I can't help but wonder if he didn't shout out his gratitude the moment his skin became clear but then he felt it necessary to go and tell Jesus face-to-face THANK YOU a second time.

So in this season of THANKSgiving, as I'm thanking God for His many blessings, I want to also be thankful to my friends and family for all they've done for me, how they've encouraged me, those times when their gifts came at just the right time.