“I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares …” Phil.2:20.
“Philemon, your love has given me much joy and comfort…” Phile. 1:7.
“God comforted us by the coming of Titus” 2Cor.7:6.
“Greet Priscilla and Aquila… they risked their lives for me” Rm.16:3-4.
“Greet Rufus and his mom. She’s been a mom to me, too” Rm.16:13.
“Onesiphorus often refreshed me …” 2Tim.1:16.
“Euodia and Syntyche labored at my side in the Gospel” Phil.4:3-4.
Heavenly Father, these many verses, names, and tender “thank-yous” have gotten my attention. Thank you for the many people you place in our lives—our dearest friends and irreplicable encouragers, our surrogate moms and dads, the grace-channels and mercy-meccas, faithful refreshers and empathic comforters—our Gospel-posses, and two-legged-parties, and prayer warriors.
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 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—this week… as in today. So Very Amen.