Dear Friends,
My recent birthday was very
special as I received a number of very thoughtful gifts from friends and family
members.
I was walking around with
my shoes off and a family member noticed a hole in my socks, and so he
purchased and carefully wrapped 12 pairs of socks that will probably last me a
decade along with a belt to keep my pants from falling down, which I guess is a
good thing as what pastor wants to drop his trousers in the pulpit during
a Sunday morning service. To top it off this same family member secretly took a
picture of me holding my dog Maggie, and then had it framed. My children gave
me a pair of glove handwarmers, and a heated vest for those cold spring
days when I am on the field umpiring. From other friends I got a package of
handkerchiefs (I know they probably wanted me to remember them whenever I blow
my nose, along with a couple of free car washes, something that I really
appreciated since my 2012 Hyundai is always in desperate need of a wash. Last
year on my birthday, my secretary gave me a couple of gift cards for an oil
change, a very thoughtful gift which I won’t forget.
I share all this with you
because I wanted to point out the high level of thoughtfulness each of my
friends and family displayed in choosing my birthday gifts.
I confess I am not very
good at giving thoughtful gifts -Jean was terrific at that- and I have a lot to
learn when it comes to thoughtful gift giving. Often my gift giving involves a
frantic last-minute trip to Trader Joe's to pick up one of those one-dollar
cards from their card rack.
Earlier in the year I
shared a Leadership Thought on this same subject- thoughtfulness- but I wanted
to elaborate on this quality because I believe thoughtfulness is such a
valuable commodity in today’s world.
When I think of the word
thoughtful, words like, kind, considerate, understanding come to mind
Thoughtfulness is a
quality that involves much more than just being nice, like holding the door for
someone, smiling, or giving someone your place in the line. It can be those
things, but it generally goes deeper than just these simple and spontaneous
acts of kindness.
Thoughtfulness involves
intentionality, reflection, careful planning, and it often takes some
degree of time to express.
Thoughtfulness means being
alert to other’s needs and deliberately looking for ways to make their lives
better.
It is one of the truest
and best tests of Christian character. It is love in work clothes, always
elevating the needs of others over your own.
The fruit of the spirit is
love, and love is always thoughtful.
Thoughtfulness seeks God’s
direction in revealing how you can be useful in serving others.
In the book of Hebrews, we
are told that the Lord is not forgetful to reward our works of righteousness.
(Hebrews 6:10)
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).
When you do something for
someone else, that act may soon be forgotten, but it will never be forgotten by
the Lord for He promises us that he will never forget our actions, and that He
will reward us, if not now, then even better yet, in heaven.
Let me suggest some ways
to lead a more thoughtful life.
Take time to listen to
others, really listen. Listen with your heart and ask God to show you how you
can bless that other person
Show small acts of
kindness: offer to babysit, provide rides, bake cookies etc.
Give meaningful
compliments. People love being complimented. Encouragement is oxygen to the
soul, and if the person is breathing, it’s a good sign that they need it.
Show your gratitude and
thankfulness with handwritten thank you notes. You can get wonderful
thankful cards at one of my favorite shopping destinations, the Dollar
Store.
Try and remember important
dates. My important date list is taped on the wall, just an arm's length away
from my desk.
Take time to pray and
plan. Ask God to show you how you can express His loves to a friend or even to
a stranger.
As we approach our day,
let's stop thinking about ourselves and begin thinking of thoughtful ways to
care for and serve others, for this the first step in sowing the seeds of
thoughtfulness.
Yours in faith and
friendship,
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