November 1st was All Saints Day. It is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate those that have gone before us who impacted our walk with Jesus. I am humbled by those who have impacted my faith in such a positive way - grandparents, pastors, Sunday School teachers, and friends – who are now with Jesus. Yet the greatest impact came from my parents. My father lived out Jesus’ love by having an acceptance for all people in all circumstances. He taught me the importance of being humble. My mother, being the minister’s daughter that she was, focused on scripture and prayer. There was no denying where her strength came from.
As I sat in the pew last Sunday, I paid homage to my parents and thanked them for their influence. Then tears welled up as how I was remiss in sharing that gratitude with them while they were alive. I may have thanked them for many things, but I rarely thanked them for ensuring Jesus was alive and well in our home. I rarely thanked them for building a foundation of Jesus’ love in our lives. I rarely thanked them for the example they brought on the power of prayer. Grief reminds us how much we miss those who have gone on before us, gratitude reminds us of how blessed we were to have them in our lives.
Friends, our walk with our Savior comes from many different places. It could come from our churches, our families, our friends. It is time, when these folks are with us on this side of heaven, to thank them and show our gratitude for the influence they have had on our lives. It is time to show gratitude to our pastors, our Biblical leaders, our family and friends who have supported our walk with Jesus. Who is the person that put the seed of that special Bible verse you carry in your heart? Who is the person that provides faithful encouragement to you when you have lost your way? Who is the person that inspires you to open your Bible and find the answers you are searching for? Take a few moments and show your gratitude for them – reaching out with Jesus’ love as they have so often reached out to you! I am certain your gratitude will touch their hearts and warm their souls.
Video that complements this post: Gratitude for the Lives that Have Touched Ours
Dearest Jesus, there are many on this side of heaven who impact and influence our continued walk with you. Provide me with the insight to show my gratitude to those folks and share my appreciation. Amen!