Give Thanks for the Planters
Growing up, there was a fairly strange mini-forest on what used to be the edge of town. Rumer was, a grandfather planted all of those walnut trees to send his grandchildren’s children to college.
Over on Instagram, I told you that after a long time of asking, our 9-year-old was baptized. I was worried that 9 was a little little to fully understand, but he was adamant and he was sure.
A lot of people helped him make that sure decision. Susi, who prayed for him while she changed his diaper in the church nursery and wrestled him into his pajamas during Wednesday night services. Ashley and Carrie who taught him how to do school and how much God loves him in their preschool classroom. His Grampy and Mimi and Grammy and Papa and Nana and Grandma and Grandpa who prayed and prayed for him. Who bought the children’s Bibles and stories and experiences. Ellie and Joey and Kami who created the most fun Sunday school experiences and organized the very best volunteers and worked hard to live as a church that believes that the faith of children matters. Friends, extra aunties, people in our small group. Me. His dad, who brought him up out of the water, smiling.
There are always people who plant seeds and never see the forest – whether that’s for t-ball players, readers, pianists, people of faith. People who cheer us on at mile 6 of our marathon knowing they’ll never see us cross a finish line. People who walk with us for just a season, but the way they did it makes all the difference.
I wanted our tenders from those very early days to see some of the fruit of their labor. And know that we are grateful. I will forever be in love with a handwritten note, particularly one of thanks. Especially to someone who isn’t expecting it. So I dropped a heavy handful of notes in the mail this morning to all of those people who cared for my son in the biggest of small ways and told them thank you for helping him step into that water.
Looking for a meaningful way to add to your people project? How about an unexpected thank you note? Look back and notice the cultivators in your life and take a minute to thank them and send them a little update by way of card, text, email, or call. And then, take a page from their book; take someone’s hand and look forward.
Not even sure who that might be? Try thinking about:
· What is something you are really good at? Who is someone who helped you believe that you are good at that thing?
· What is a skill that you use every day? Who taught you that skill?
· Who saw you and helped you during a difficult time?
· Who first saw potential in you? How did that change your trajectory?
· What class, lessons, team, school, study, group, etc played a key role in shaping who you are or preparing you for what you do? Who taught or coached or led that? Who paid for it?
