Barnabas

XXI. THANK YOU
The scripture for this text is I Thessalonians 5:18.

My parents always taught me to say “please” and “thank you” when I was a child. They always taught me the best way to proceed under any circumstances was with manners. As I grew older I must have gotten slammed in the head a few times because it seems that I am less and less courteous and have fewer and fewer manners. God loves me still, regardless of whether I say “please”. But it says over and over to give thanks in everything, and being grateful and thankful is part of a Christian’s prayer life and part of our obedience to Him that saves and serves.

I’ve had so much to be grateful for in my life. A good job that allows me to contribute to helping fulfill the needs of those orphans and students in Haiti, of students in World Bible School, and countless other research organizations dedicated to learning more about and controlling diseases such as diabetes, cancer, arthritis. I have good neighbors that always help me, even when I don’t ask them too. I’ve had a roof over my head, and when I have needed repairing or painting done, people from the church are always there to help. I have a good family at church, one constantly interested in improving itself and growing, as well as being the loving family that God intended us to be. I have a close circle of friends that are my brothers and sisters in Christ, like Gary and Jane Hixson, Rodney and Kristi Pinkston, Russ and Debbie Wilkerson, Linda Hill, Irene Miller, Ken Dellinger, Jeff and Mary Alice Trotter, Mike and Glenda Collins, Brett and Kris Hinson, Ron Wilson, Tracy Murphree and there are many, many more that I have left out. I am so grateful to have each and everyone of these people because without them I would sink. They laugh with me during joyous times and sustain me during my times of tears. I am thankful that they forgive my shortcomings so easily, when I shed my cloak of Christ and demonstrate just how human I am without God. I am grateful to have had a father who for 35 years of his troubled life supported me, sometimes financially, always emotionally, and who loved me and all three of his children even when we were most unlovable. Finally, I am grateful to the Heavenly Father who demonstrated to me that His love was greater than any love ever shown because He gave His son for me, that I might be able to enjoy the parental relationship. Too. How sweet the realization of an eternal, loving, forgiving Daddy, in whose arms I rest when I am crying with no one around, or who laughs with me when I chuckle to myself, or who sees what I do (good or bad) when I think no one notices.

I want to thank the Heavenly Father for one gift in particular. It is by far the best gift, and the most challenging gift He has ever given me. My friend Leslie. We used to be best friends; and at one time my sanity would be nonexistent without her, nor would my insanity have been nearly as fun. We did a lot together, went a lot of places together, did a lot of fun neat things together, and uplifted many people along the way. I seen and done things I thought I never would. A lot of people, including her mom, told me that she changed a lot because of me. I’m here to tell that was not me but her eyes were opened to God and I was just an instrument. I have learned a lot from her. She was always there for me. When I got the telephone call about my father’s death, when I underwent my heart operation, whenever I am down and need a lift up or a hug, she was always there to listen and exhort when needed. Even though I had that relationship for a short time it was really special and shall remain so. The fact that it is not now in existence is a testament to the humanness of God’s children. And how more importance is put on that humanness than what God actually wants of us.

Everyone needs a Leslie, someone who understands, nurtures, guides and someone not afraid to tell you the truth when needed. While it would have been nice to retain that relationship forever, what Leslie was confidence in myself that I could do what ever I set my heart to and that that indeed was OK. For both the good and bad times, everyone needs a Leslie, a pal, a confidante, someone to walk with you through the hardships, and skip with you when the days are beautiful. Someone who sees you through the eyes of Christ, even for a little while.

My prayer for everyone is that they find their Leslie, but that relationship is continuous and everlasting, not like this earth that will some day pass away but more like what God has in mind for eternity.