“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 (NIV)

I keep a small, red, heart-shaped box on my desk to remind me to be grateful.

I received this red box this past Valentine’s Day from a man who had graduated from the program, joined our staff, relapsed, disappeared, and then reappeared in Guest Services Pathways. It really touched my heart. I’m pretty sure I was not the only recipient of one of these boxes of candy, but I still felt special.

This small, red, heart-shaped box contained four pieces of chocolate. I was able to stretch this bounty over two days (you should know that I consider chocolate to be a major food group and an essential part of my diet). As I enjoyed eating the chocolate, I kept thinking, “I should go downstairs and find him and thank him.” But a week went by, or maybe two, and then one day I saw him in the parking lot. He said, “Did you get the box of chocolates that I gave you?” I said I did, thanked him and hugged him, and he expressed how delighted he was to be able to give this gift.

I was so humbled, and frankly embarrassed, at my tardiness in expressing my gratitude for a gift that I knew had meant so much to the giver. I knew that he didn’t have much, if any disposable income, and whatever he had spent on this gift meant that he had to go without something himself. Being able to give this gift was a giant step in the right direction for him, and my failure to acknowledge without prompting was more than rude, it was a failure to acknowledge him for his heartfelt expression of generosity, his way of giving of himself.

I am truly so thankful for all the random, and not so random, acts of kindness that I receive on a daily basis from you, from our guests, and from our program participants. It is really a bountiful display of friendship and love, and it means so much to me. I pray that I never take it for granted what these gifts mean to me and to the givers, and I pray that I will be much more faithful to express my gratitude on a timelier basis.

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now ….” (Philippians 1:3-5, NIV)

Blessings,

Judy