Appreciation

I just finished reading a blog in which a daughter posted that she felt her parents were under appreciated. It really hit home to me as I have been facing this very issue. As a pastors wife, it is something I battle allot. I get burnt out on doing things for the church and often feel that apparently it is just expected of me. Allot of what we do as pastor/pastor's wife no one even knows about. We don't expect recognition or praise but after pouring our hearts into our people and our church, humanly we need to know that we are appreciated. Allot of times I know lack of recognition is due to lack of awareness. However, we have learned to do what we do and if someone shows their thanks - we consider it a bonus. We know we are not working for a reward down here but will get our reward in Heaven.

Byron likes to publicly thank anyone who helps around the church. It is only right. It is an incentive for others to step up and help out also. We have so many dedicated people who work many hours each work around our church that we are truly thankful for all who help life our load.

My challenge to you, my faithful readers..... think about the people in your life who make your world a better place to be. Then thank them. Be creative. A thank you card, a phone call, an e-card, flowers, cookies, a meal. Whatever. Just get the point across that what they do means allot to you.

On that note..... here are some notes of appreciation from me.

Connie Rodgers: Connie, thank you so much for your hours and hours of work for the church finances. Your careful, flawless work is appreciated more than you know. We don't' thank you publicly very often and I'm fairly certain no one, other than Pastor, has personally thanked you for your work as treasurer. Your faithfulness to God and your loyalty to us is so very much appreciated.

Paul Klein: Paul, you amaze me. You faithfully show up each Thursday morning to clean the church. For nothing. We can't pay you but you still are faithful. Pastor thanks you publicly fairly often but I'm fairly certain that you haven't been overwhelmed by people personally showing appreciation for your service to our church. Thanks for stepping up to "the plate" and taking responsiblity for a job that no one else was willing to do. Thank you Paul. We love you!!

Rod & Christy Shumate: Rod & Christy, you are such a blessing to our church. Rod, thanks for plowing out the church anytime we need it done. Thank you for donating your time and equipment to the church. We really really appreciate it. Thank you for helping Pastor anytime he calls. Thank you for the fellowship. Christy, your creativity and work with the children is so very much appreciated. The Christmas program this year was like none other here at Keepville and it was largely because of your ideas and work. Thank you for lifting our load in such a huge way.

Peg Shauberger: Where do we start, Peg!!! You have been such an encouragement and blessing to Pastor & I. We handed you "the ball" and you didn't just run with it, you completely exceeded any/all expectations. Thank you for your willingness to not only help out your parsonage family but for being of service to God and your church - even when you didn't have the time or the energy. We DO appreciate your sacrifice and your faithfulness both to God and to us.

Ashley: Thanks Ashley for the hours you spent painting the beautiful Bible scenes on the Beginner class walls. The art work for the nativity scene in our church was great. What a wonderful addition to our church. Your faithful attendance is such an example and encouragement to us - especially with your schedule. We so appreciate your dedication.

George & Ilene: What a blessing it is to have such dedicated neighbors and church family as you both!! You both are "true blue". Your loyalty and dedication both to us and to our church is refreshing and so very much appreciated. Thank you for loving our kids. You mean so much to them.

Marge: Marge, you'll probably never see this blog but we want to go on record that we sure do appreciate you and your life. You are dependable and consistent and in a world where both those character traits are in low supply, we value that highly. Thank you for the many hours you've spent here at the parsonage helping me. You have no idea how you've brightened our lives and lifted our load.

Tom Mooney: Tom, I think this pastor's wife would have lost her mind this past summer if it had not been for you. Your tireless efforts to keep us supplied with water was more of a blessing than you will ever know. We probably didn't tell you enough how much it meant to us and how much it helped.Thank you for giving to the Lord - by way of the parsonage family.

Andy Crouch: Andy, thanks for renting the church's house. Thanks for being a neighbor we can trust. Thanks for spending many many hours working on the house. We appreciate you, your life and your help.