If you are playing along, here are a few things to remember:
1. New to link-up’s or have questions? Read this first.
2. Since we all dig surprises, please surprise another writer by leaving a comment on her post *or* by giving her a facebook shout-out or tweet. Use the hashtag: #outoftheblue.
3. Be sure to include the out of the blue banner {see below} in your post or link back to Chasing Blue Skies so your readers can join in the fun. That way, we can all easily find each other.
God is full of surprises, and He uses these different blessings to prove His dependable faithfulness. Out of the blue helps us look expectantly for them as we live our lives exploring them. Today we are focusing on appreciation. What unexpected, surprise appreciation did you receive from someone or extend to someone? How did God use their thank you to make a difference in your day, your year, your life? Or yours in the life of someone else?
How Far Your Thank You Can Go
It seems a lifetime ago, the years when I would snake my way through Miamisburg every Monday through Friday morning towards the little school at the end of 9th street. Each week, I met with every single student there as their music teacher.
When the year came that moved us from that part of the country to another, I knew I’d pack tender memories of sweet students as carefully as fine china.
After announcing my move, the kids’ tears told me they were sad to see me go.
Their barrage of daily hugs told me I’d be missed.
And their stacks of thank you cards told me I was appreciated.
But what surprised me is just how far and wide their appreciation would carry me.
After moving, we called a temporary lodging facility and a postage stamp-sized apartment home for a season. Both were short on cheerful appeal, long on homesickness and familiarity. So when the loneliness crept close, I would pull out those construction papered love notes and soak in their words. They comforted me over and over again.
Long after I left Mark Twain Elementary, those students continued to write and say thank you.
And when many would find me on facebook a decade later {Hey, Mrs. Strong! How are you?}, I was shocked to find their thank yous still warm to the touch.
Those sweet kids taught me – someone they saw 45 minutes each week – a truck load about appreciation:
Appreciation holds your rear view mirror, allowing you to see how the smallest act of kindness exploded love in the life of someone else.
Appreciation is packed down soil that keeps you firmly planted through roaring winds.
Appreciation is light on a dark, closed-in day.
Appreciation is a game changer, a world changer, and it lives hours, days, and years after it’s given.
God says we are to be overflowing with thanks.
No small wonder why.
Appreciation is a game changer, a world changer, and it lives hours, days, and years after it’s given. I love this part. Appreciation IS A game changer, because God is the Umpire!
God is the umpire: Love that!
Just beautiful. I love how you said, “Appreciation is light on a dark, closed-in day.” When someone takes the time to thank you for something, it really does bring you light. And the converse is true, too. When we are thankful, we are happier.
Absolutely. Thanks for that reminder, Lisa.
“…how far and wide their appreciation would carry me.” Such power in those two word! Such light it does bring. Beautiful!
Mmm! “Appreciation is a game changer!” So true. Your words are enlightening.
A few weeks ago here at my college, we celebrated Random Act of Kindness week…it was a different activity each day, but my favorite was Thank-You Note Day. We bought a whole bunch of thank-you notes and just challenged each student who walked by to send one card to someone in his/her life who deserved it. You wouldn’t believe…we ended up spending hundreds on postage, and most students opted to send cards to – obviously – their mothers 🙂 When my mum got mine, she called me and told me it had carried her through an especially rough day!
This is well-written, Kristen. Nothing like a solid thank-you hug to ease those rough edges. Also, you teach music?!? I’m a music student. What exactly do you do?
I used to teach music, back before I had kids and when my boys were small. I taught elementary music, K-5. Now I want to know what’s your specialty?
Thank you Kristen! I was just sitting at my desk thinking, “What is wrong with me? Why do I feel so bad lately?” and minutes later, read your post. Just the thought of sending a little thank you to someone who made such a huge difference in my life this year, lifted my spirits so much! : )