“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, ‘Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?’” (Luke 10:15-17 NKJV)
Friday morning, as I sat quietly at a viewing that preceded a Celebration of Life service for an inspiring young lady who had fulfilled her purpose in life, I started to look back over my years. My thoughts centered on people that had impacted my life, knowingly and unknowingly; people outside of my family.
I thought about the teachers who instructed me in the past; teachers I never turned to or returned to and said, “Thank you!” I thought about the old Deacons in the church where I attend as a child, stern men who kept me in line with their verbal discipline and admonishment. I never expressed my thanks to them for keeping me on the right path and helping me avoid the pitfalls that many of my peers had experienced. I’m still thinking, remembering people who will not be personally mentioned in my obituary whenever the Lord calls me home. Don’t get sad about that for life in glory is a good thing!
I remember my first real employer after high school, a local TV station that not only allowed me to work flex hours so I could put in 40-60 hours a week while attending college full-time. I remember that that employer paid for half my education. I remember those fellow employees who helped encourage me and especially one Executive Secretary who was a former English Teacher. She helped me learn how to write and get through my first English Composition course. But once again, I really never said, “Thank you!”
I never thanked the teenage boy who lived around the corner. He would come over and teach me how to play the sport of basketball while I was only five years old. My mentor in the ministry had reasons for the assignments he gave me to shape me, mold me, equip me with humility, and made me study to show myself approved as a workman that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. He would make a deep theological statement and instead of explaining it to me, he would leave it up to me to arrive at the meaning. I may have thanked him some for all he did, including getting some Biblical studies under my belt to supplement my other academic credentials, but I never really thanked Him enough.
The message I’m trying to communicate to you on this day; a Sunday; a day where I’m sure you will respond properly to the words, “Come, let us worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” and “O, give thanks unto the Lord,” is to not forget the many people that helped shape you in positive ways; persons that the Lord put in your way to ensure you would stay on the path of righteousness and provide the light that would prevent your future from being covered by darkness. If these people are still around and you cross paths with them, tell them, “Thank you!” Why wait? Start thanking a few of the folks that nurtured you and nudged you to live a life pleasing to the Lord our God. Start today! I better let you get ready for your worship experience, face-to- face or in person, but always in seriousness and in reverence for the Lord as you experience His special presence! Thank Him for this day too! Be blessed!
“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” – Albert Schweitzer
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King