Philemon, “your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people” Philemon 1:7
“God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus” 2Cor.7:6)
“Greet Priscilla and Aquila… they risked their lives for me” (Rom.16:3-4).
“Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mom who has been a mom to me, too” (Rom.16:13)
“Onesiphorus often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains” (2Tim.1:16)
Heavenly Father, these many verses, names, and intentional “thank-yous” have gotten my attention. Thank you for the many people you place in our lives—our surrogate moms and dads, grace-channels and mercy-fountains, the timely refreshers and empathic comforters… our Gospel-posse and human-parties.
Indeed, thank you for the sisters and brothers whose listening gives us more answers than words ever could. Most of them have never held a microphone, but they speak deep to our hearts. They may be low in their company’s “org chart,” but they top the grace-chart. Do they have a clue how much we treasure them? Father, we don’t want to grieve their absence more than we celebrate their presence. What thank-yous, words of affection, and acknowledgements of appreciation should we speak before heaven?
Abba, free me and my friends from putting off loving well, building up, and blessing freely. Though there are some goodbyes we’re sad we didn’t get to say, there are many “you-are-dear-to-me’s” that can still be given. Show us, free us, send us. So Very Amen.