12This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
One of the things I look forward to when I get to heaven is many Thank You notes being posted all over my mansion (color coded and all Martha Stewart-y). Two weekends ago I was laying out in my backyard when a bloody lady came into my gate (backdoor neighbor that I had never met). She had fallen down the hill in the backyard and was pretty messed up. Being the ocd accountant that I am, I helped her get situated and then promptly went inside to get wet wash-clothes to clean her up. She ended up with some memory loss and I had to call the EMS (I didn't want to because of how much they charge but oh well.) I found out that she had stayed in the hospital overnight and then with a friend so when I heard her this Saturday I was excited. I waved and she paid me no attention, so when she got close to the hill I said, "let's not have a repeat performance of last week." Needless to say I never broke a smile. To my dismay she looked at me and then went back to what she was doing. Never said thank you, never said I appreciate the extra laundry you had to do for me, nothing.
When I read my devotional that same night the verse above smacked me in the face. Why can't I just accept that God thanks me for the little bit of effort I show towards his people. Why do I need a silly little note that I am going to throw away. Who knows, but I still like them :O)
Pictures from the TN Corn Bread Festival (Yummy!)
