“You Know the Words”
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17 (New International Version)
He was early in his ministry as the pastor of an Original Free Will Baptist congregation and a children’s Sunday school class wished to do something special for their new pastor. The students pooled together their coins and dollars and, after a few weeks of collecting, the class’s teacher went to a local Bible bookstore in order to make the students’ purchase. She found a Halley’s Bible Handbook which seemed like a logical choice for someone just starting a library of ministry resources. One Sunday morning the pastor was invited into the children’s classroom where he was presented with the small package which caught the new pastor by surprise. Opening the paper, he was overcome with joy as he held up the book for the students to see. Touched by their kindness and generosity, he was without words, but managed to muster, “I…I don’t know what to say.” Without missing a beat, one little boy burst forth with, “Say thank you preacher!”
That is a true story shared by my home pastor a number of years ago during a sermon on gratitude. I suppose it has stuck with me all of these years because of its humor, but, at the same time, due to the innocence of a child’s words. Thank you, one would think, should be the natural response to the action of another’s giving. I say “would think” because, at one time, please and thank you were considered the “magic words,” or so a childhood nursery rhyme told us. Two simple words, but ones which often go unsaid. That is not to say we are a bunch of ungrateful people, but perhaps…
- We assume to have indicated our appreciation because our first instinct is to say thank you.
- We become so preoccupied in our thinking and busyness that we honestly forget.
- We say to ourselves or another, “He or she knows I am thankful even if I did not express so explicitly.”
When I was a senior in high school, our class adopted the verse from Colossians found at the top of the page as “our verse” for our last year together. We did so because of its emphasis upon doing everything in a manner which honors God. It was not until later that my attention was drawn to the second part of the verse which speaks of “giving thanks.” This form of speech is known as a present active participle which expresses an ongoing action occurring simultaneously with the main verb of the sentence. Paul told the people of Colosse to do or act (main verb) in such a way that their words and deeds were worshipful while accompanied with thanksgiving. Giving thanks, according to the apostle, is to be a continuous part of who we are as we do and speak the things of God. Thanksgiving, for those in Christ, is not to be something which starts and stops, or is done when we “feel like doing so.” That is not to say that we are necessarily thankful for everything that comes our way in life, but we can, as Paul says elsewhere, give thanks IN all things (see 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Having said all of this, I wish to express my gratitude to you all as a church family for who you are and for all that you do for the cause of God’s Kingdom. Just a few Sundays ago, we had “Pastor Appreciation Day” at Little Rock and Marci, Sally, and I were overwhelmed by a number of cards, notes, and gifts expressing your gratitude for the work which we do in partnership with you all. I know I stated it from the pulpit that day and in the following Sunday’s bulletin, but let me say once more, “Thank you!” While the cards and gifts were special, the fact that we were thought of goes above and beyond anything which money can buy. Thank you for believing in us and being patient with us as we continue to learn and grow together. The ministry of Little Rock is more than a few individuals who are “paid to do this work” and encompasses all of us with our unique gifts, resources, and life experiences. Thank you for being you and may God continue to bless us as we look toward God’s future as a congregation.
As we move into November, it will be an active time around Little Rock with UPWARD football and cheerleading, the Trinity Circle’s shopping spree, our Thanksgiving luncheon, Pre-Thanksgiving community service (hosted by us), and the beginning of Advent to name just a few of the opportunities. It is my hope and prayer that as we conclude 2025, we will keep the forward momentum going. We have experienced baptisms, new memberships, and a number of new faces in the past ten months and I hope and pray that will continue as we move into the holiday season. Please share the word about what God is doing in and through our church family, and extend an invitation to someone who may not be churched at this time. As we creep into the holidays, be a blessing to someone and allow thanks to become a regular part of your daily practice.
Together in Christ,
The Reverend Kelley Smart