Thank You for Giving to the Lord

In 1990, a man named Ray Boltz became known overnight when his song, “Thank You” won the Song of the Year prize at the GMA Dove Awards.  Since then, his song has been an encouragement to millions around the world to this day.  This song echoes in my mind when I think of the generosity of God’s people to my family since we’ve arrived at First Lutheran Church.

To be more specific, I wanted to share a most recent joy that has been an ongoing blessing to the Longdens.  As most of you know, my wife Kim fell and broke her wrist just a few months ago.  This was a huge challenge in transitioning to the birth of our fourth child, Jonah.  Although having him as a new addition to our family is a true joy, I wanted to share another recent joy in greater detail.

For the last two months, a variety of exotic and long-standing staple meals have made their way into the Longden’s home.  What’s the big deal, you may ask?  We have meals in our homes all the time.  We go to work and put in an eight plus hour day to put food on the table, to support our family’s most basic need.  Sometimes we are the ones when after a long day’s work, are the same people getting those groceries from the store and preparing the meal only to be devoured in less than 30 minutes.  Do we ever receive a “thank you” for our labor?  Is there a satiated belly leaving the table?  Can we ever know if any of these efforts are being appreciated?

I wanted to set the stage and take the time to share that YOUR efforts are TRULY appreciated in the Longden home.  We have had over 40 wonderful meals from over 30 wonderful servants of the Lord.  You have met a basic need in a simple way.  The product of this effort has been one of great joy that we are deeply thankful for.  The Body of Christ is alive and well here at First Lutheran and I wanted to encourage you if it doesn’t appear outwardly so.  We also wanted to give special thanks to Jill Withey for being the Christian Care Chairperson and the wonderful job she has done organizing two months’ worth of meals.  I know she isn’t looking for a “thank you”, but I can’t be silent about this joy.  :^)

More thanks are in order, but at running the risk of upsetting the applecart (food idiom/pun), I will say that you know who you are, so “thank you, for giving to the Lord” (Ray Boltz paraphrased by Daniel Longden).  “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’  (Matthew 25:40) To God be the glory forever and ever!  Oh, and if you hear of someone else who is in need of encouragement during a tough time, food is definitely a great encourager!!!