Leadership Thought: The Key to Living a Thoughtful Life.

Dear Friends,

I love being around thoughtful people. Just the other day at a meeting I was attending, I was surprised by the thoughtfulness of two members of our church family. One member had taken the time to prepare a delicious cherry cheesecake, and the other had purchased a card which was signed by those in attendance and presented to me along with a beautiful wall hanging expressing gratitude for my ministry.

Thoughtful people have a way of saying just the right thing and performing just the right action at just the right time. They are thoughtful because they are always on the lookout to lift others up. They take time to think about how to bless others. Thoughtful people are 'thinkful' people. They are intentional about being thoughtful. They spend time thinking and praying ,planning and preparing ways to bless the lives of others because they are other minded.

Jesus says, "Whoever in the name of a disciple shall give even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones, truly I tell you that person will certainly not lose their reward." (Matthew 10:42)

In the Book of Hebrews, we are told that the Lord is not forgetful to reward our works of righteousness (Heb. 6:10)

When you do something for someone else, that act may be forgotten by the one who receives it, but it will never be forgotten by the Lord. He promises us that He will never forget that action and that the giver will be rewarded. Perhaps now, but even better, in heaven.

So many of the special gifts I remember are not sizeable, expensive, or the kind of gift that might overwhelm you. A phone call reminding you that you are loved and not forgotten you, an unexpected meal delivered when you were too tired to cook, a babysitter who shows up so you and your spouse can have a much-needed night out.

Legendary college basketball coach John Wooden was once asked how he would like to like to be remembered. He replied, "I would like to be remembered as a normal person that was considerate(thoughtful) of others. That would be enough for me." 

So, as we approach our day today, let's stop thinking about ourselves and begin thinking of others, which is the first step in sowing the seeds of thoughtfulness.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom