There were many things as a kid I never noticed because I was busy doing my "own thing", but now that I'm older I appreciate more. You know what I am talking about. Somehow, food showed up on the table every day. My clothes kept appearing in my dresser drawers, clean and folded. The house was always warm in winter and cool in the summer. The floors were swept, the dishes washed, and I felt safe. I never really thought about how all this came about, although now as a husband/father/grownup I understand how it all works and appreciate it a whole lot more. All these things I benefited from, and so much more!

Bills got paid! The lights kept lighting, the heater kept heating, and the phone always had that funky dial tone thing going on. I had a personal nutritionist, a security force, and an events coordinator. I had mentors, teachers, guidance councilors, and even someone to tell me what time it was! Occasionally I had my own personal hair stylist, tailor, doctor, and physical therapist. You would probably expect I paid a lot for all these services, but no, I got them all for free! Even when I was rude, arrogant, and disrespectful. Even when all I could think about was me me me. My parents, who did all these things for me, didn't do them because they "owed" me (although some children think that way!) nor did they do it because I was so great and deserving. Nope, they did it because they loved me.

Now, there may be some kids reading this today, so I want to ask them. Would you be all that willing to do these kind of things for people who rarely if ever thank you, never appreciate it, and in fact fight you when you try to help them? But that's how' it is, really. Kids, especially teens, talk about how great it will be when they can "get out of here" and on their own so they can do whatever they want. We parents laugh, of course, because when they are on their own who's going to do that cooking and cleaning, who's going to wake you up when it's time for work, who's going to help you when you're sick, who's going to wash your clothes, and pay your bills, and do all those other things? Ha ha ha, it's YOU! Kids know everything, so they think, but suddenly discover how hard things can be when their parents, who they are so quick to think of as stupid or clueless or out of touch, are no longer there doing so very much for them.

But I'm not really writing about kids today, I just wanted us to keep this same thing in mind when we think about our own congregation. Somehow, the bills all get paid and the lights work and the heating and cooling come on and off conveniently and at the proper times. Not only are they financed, but they are scheduled and manipulated for YOUR comfort. Every Sunday, the Lord's table is prepared and ready when it comes time to serve it. There are bible study lessons ready for your learning, prepared in advance by the teachers of the classes. Like magic, someone has come in and washed the bathrooms and swept the pews in preparation for the services. The services now along smoothly without any interruptions, so you can focus on what you came for - worship to God. Not long ago, some of the younger children gave me little thank-you cards, thanking me for serving the church here. I know they gave them to the other deacons, too, and the elders and probably even one to Kieran. Now that I'm an adult, it's true that I know how all these things work and I appreciate them. But I don't say thank you enough to all those who serve us. I've made it a point to try to thank each of the ladies who prepare the communion for us personally as their turn comes up, and I would encourage all of you to do it, too. They are showing a love for you that you might not have considered. Those who serve us do it even when we're tired and grumpy and rude. How about that!

So! The next time someone says "It's a thankless job but somebody has got to do it" don't let them get away with that! Tell them THANKS!

Randy