Everyone knows the dual role of Thanksgiving—eating more than what's reasonable and expressing appreciation for something or someone. So let's focus on the word "thanks." You can handle the meal part on your own.

I recently visited a neighbor in the hospital. He had a disease that attacked muscle tissue, and it had progressed to the point that he could not breathe on his own. In fact, his entire body began to shut down. After a few weeks in intensive care, he made the decision to turn the machines off on a Thursday. I visited him on Wednesday, and we both knew it was to say goodbye.

Twenty minutes into our time together, I asked him if he was going to heaven. He nodded yes. We chatted for a while longer about what going to heaven meant, what it would be like, and the new body he would receive upon arrival. This conversation went surprisingly well, considering that due to the medical equipment he could only write words on a pad of paper or mouth them out. To make double sure about the heaven answer, we prayed a long time together—and clearly covered the issue of salvation. It was a holy moment for sure. And then something unexpected happened that I will always remember.

As I left his room, I turned to wave. At that moment, his eyes sparkled and he mouthed out the word "Thanks!" My heavy heart filled with a unique joy because I never expected to be thanked. I was, after all, just doing what I believed God wanted me to do. Knowing that my neighbor went to heaven the very next day would have been enough for me. But I heard "Thanks!" And that's what I want to share.

For all the extra hours you work that nobody really knows about. For all the times your heart has grown heavy from the load you're asked to carry. For addressing critics and resolving conflict that you really would have preferred to ignore. For brainstorming until your mind is numb to come up with a new holiday service. For vision casting until your eyes blur to make sure you have new volunteers. For all the times you felt it personally when a volunteer left. For rehearsing one more time to make sure that the program goes well. For sticking in ministry because you believe that's what God wants you to do. For all the prayers that you said to make double sure that kids would understand the salvation plan. For all the kids who did understand and will be in heaven one day. And for all the times you should have heard this word but didn't …

Thanks!

(Enjoy your meal.)

Copyright © 2005 Promiseland.

Read more from 'Encouraging Words'

Words Kids Need to Hear To Help Them Be Who God Made Them to Be by David Staal If you could choose just seven statements to share with children, what would they be? Each chapter in this compelling book focuses on a single statement elementary-age kids need to hear from parents, children's workers, and other close adults. These seven statements are simple to share, yet guaranteed to profoundly impact children. They are: I believe in you. You can count on me. I treasure you. I'm sorry, please forgive me. Because. No. I love you. will educate, equip, and motivate parents and children's ministry teams to carefully choose words that building up kids' hearts, to say them frequently, and to do so in creative ways. What children hear from trusted adults significantly influences their self-image, their current relationships, and future relationships—including that all-important relationship with God.