Two Very Powerful Words

To say "thank you" provides dignity to those receiving the accolades. It provides validation to those who have worked hard to be their best. They are rewarding and oftentimes all a benefactor is looking to obtain. Few understand the power of gratefulness. It is a fair estimate that this simple phrase contains two of the most un-utilized words in human language, regardless of ethnicity or culture.

Yet when one uses such powerful words, one must be cognizant that there is a difference between speaking the statement out of rote responsibility and saying them because one genuinely means it.

• How often do sales clerks serve someone that looks them in the eye and says with gratefulness thank you for recognizing their kind and prompt service?
• How many military veterans have had communities, strangers, friends and grandchildren say thank you for your sacrifice for my freedom?
• How many of our uniform defenders receive thank you notes expressing our appreciation for what they do to protect our communities and families? 
• How many moms or dads hear thank you from their children who are cognizant of the food provided, new clothes purchased or the assistance with homework?
• How many spouses are generously applauded by each other for their extra work and service to the family?
• How many strangers hear a generous thank you for their kindness in opening a door when we have full hands, helping entertain our children when we are sitting in a packed doctor's office waiting room, or simply offer that kind encouragement for the day because even though they don't know us, their keen perception has picked up on a strength or they simply want to go the extra mile just because they wished to be kind? 
• How many elected officials, and public servants receive thank yous for standing for principles and towing the line when the world beseech ed them to do otherwise?

How many times do we look back and realize God protected us from a near car collision; someone was rescued from a dangerous health situation; we succeeded on an important test; a relationship was reconciled; a job was provided; a conflict was resolved; wisdom was bestowed; hearts were forgiven.

Our goal as a good people is not to only applaud perfection because that is not possible to obtain. We do not have entitlements that demand someone opens the door for us because we're significant; provides a special meal because it's a celebratory moment for us; or serves us with exquisite service as the restaurant because we are the payee and they are supposed to simply "do their job".

To the founding fathers of long ago, gratefulness was so significant to them that they established a holiday, a coming together, a moment for pause and adulation to Father God for His provision.

"Rendering thanks to my Creator for my existence and station among His works, for my birth in a country enlightened by the Gospel and enjoying freedom, and for all His other kindnesses, to Him I resign myself, humbly confiding in His goodness and in His mercy through Jesus Christ for the events of eternity." - John Dickinson, Signer of the constitution

"Thro Various Scenes of Life God has Sustained me. May he ever be my unfailing [Friend], May his Love cherish my Soul, May my Heart with Gratitude Acknowledge his Goodness..." -Founding Father Oliver Wolcott - In a letter from Founding Father Oliver Wolcott to Laura Wolcott
Letters of Delegates to Congress: Volume: 3 January 1, 1776 - May 15, 1776


Everyone has a narrative. Everyone has value. And everyone deserves grace. Many people are trying their best to be their best. We have much to be thankful for, dear friends. As benefactors of a Great God's love, forgiveness and redemption, we already have much for which to give thanks. Two very powerful words that when multiplied can change our world, starting in our own hearts, where it matters most.

A Dozen More Lost Today...

We lost a dozen more of our military today in a vehicle explosion in Afghanistan.

I'd like to get furious at the enemies who took them out; I'd like to be with all of their families and somehow make things better; I'd like to rail against anyone that sees defending of our freedom as unworthy; I'd like to scream at anyone in any form of government that holds back on giving these men and women and their comrades and their families all that they observe; I'd like to shake and set right the mindset of those who thought this plan was good; and I'd like to grieve with all grateful Americans at the loss of their life. 

With their passing I am resolved once more to grit my teeth and work hard to do my part to preserve America's freedom. Watch out world. I want greater conviction to pray more for our defenders of freedom, be it at home in our communities or abroad. I want to obtain a richer understanding of what I have that they are so valiantly defending. And I want to work to honor their sacrifice. 

I'm so sorry for their passing ... and so grateful for their service. "God please take care of their families today and please be their Defender today. Those they have left behind will need You now more than ever."

"And God open our eyes in America to know and understand that freedom is not free." 

Rest well fellow soldier. We grieve for you today. You've passed the baton to us now and with God's help, we'll carry on to make sure your blood was not shed in vain.  

I Declare this GOOD Week

My boss has made this point regarding the political arena many times: we are in angst because of what we see taking place in government but we have no comprehension of what has been avoided. It's easy for us to criticize those in office but do we thank them for what they have protected us from?

As a conservative people who naturally refer to big government as no good, it's easy for us to see a mistake by our leaders at every turn. We "assume" evil deals are taking place behind closed doors constantly. We expect decisions out of the legislative chambers will 9 times out of 10 be less than ideal. We eagerly beat up on our elected officers before we eagerly say thanks first. And we disregard the need for and appreciation of  diplomacy, instead attributing the small amount of give and take, necessary to for a productive and realistic agreement, as the forbidden compromise.

I do not condone corruption, evil manipulation or selfish ambitions when one serves in the political arena. But I do think it's beyond time that we challenge ourselves to say thank you more often. We must realize the truth: that not all elected leaders have evil and selfish ambitions and many of them are working hard to make sure they are doing the job you sent them to do in a way that honors God, the Constitution and us as citizens. I think it's appropriate for us to have a bit more confidence in those who serve us in office when they are people we elected, because of their character, principles and viewpoints.

What ideas have come to their desks that were immediately rejected because they knew it compromised the constitution? What conversations did they have with key decision makers attempting them to see the truth on your behalf? What rallies for freedom did they attend that the news did not report? What policy votes have they stood with tenacity on because it was just wrong? What issues regarding morality and founding principles for freedom did they defend - at the stake of their own reputation - that the talking heads did not flaunt?

I am realizing more and more than the mass media - even conservative news sources - are not sufficient for me to rely on when seeking truth.

We need to be responsible citizens, working to elect people of virtue and integrity into office; we need to be always dutiful to monitor voting records, pay attention to accomplishments, and go out of our way to get to know these leaders and hold them accountable.

But, there is more happening in Washington DC and Lansing Michigan and every other state capitol city than meets the eye. Yes, there is corruption. But there is corruption in any industry, even in our own hearts, because we are all sinful beings before God. For us to expect anything less than corruption might be a little un-realistic. But in the world where corruption abides in many places there are even more corners were goodness abounds.

Start scouring other news sources and find out what leaders are speaking out, standing up, and sticking out like a sore thumb, not because they want the glory or create a news headline but because they are doing the right thing before God and man simply because it's good and true and right. 


So I dub this week GOOD week. Start looking for - and asking God to show you - things that reflect goodness. We are a society with many responsibilities of great heaviness, but we are also a society that God is working in at every turn. Be encouraged my friends. Whether foxnews, detroit news, cnn, msnbc, drudgereport, bbc etc says it or not, goodness is happening among our elected leaders. Be sure and thank them for it.

Shooting in Flint School Bus

Did you see this article? A 17 year old is in critical condition from, yes, a shooting on a school bus, in Flint Michigan.

Do not turn to government to solve this problem. Pray! Look to the Church and the Community to help prevent these scenarios in the future. Pray for our Police, School bus drivers, and this generation!

Our perspective on the value of Life impacts EVERYTHING we do; our efforts today should be for the preservation of, dignity of, and value of life from conception to grave, including those in a school bus. Our generation has lost too many already.

As one young adult blogger put it so well yesterday, in a post on an issue totally un related to this news but applicable just the same: (Regarding the issue of the value of life and the Presidential race) "Do I sound like a single issues voter? Probably. But this issue [abortion] has affected my generation severely. Those were my friends and classmates that were slaughtered on the altar of convenience. I will not compromise on this issue. Not now. Not ever."

The attempted and successful slaughter of our generation must stop. Now.

May God provide profound healing for this 17 year old man. And may the heavens ring forth with God's hope, promise and restoration for lives and communities that need it.