Daily Devotional For Saturday, June 1, 2024
Well, it is S -A-T-U-R-D-A-Y!! That means you get to rest and if necessary catchup on things you have not finished. With the weekend here, this week has been emotional for the Stanley family. In case you have not heard, Audrey, my wife has decided to retire from teaching in the public schools. She has been doing this for 44 years. Thursday night, May 30, we attended a dinner to honor all retirees in New Hanover County Public Schools. Audrey had the most years of anyone.
Yesterday at Audrey’s school, her school had a surprise retirement party for her after school and our church provided dinner for everyone. This included all the employees at the school as well as former teachers who either have retired or gone to other schools, students Audrey has taught, as well as personal friends. They wanted to express their appreciation to her for being their colleague, friend, mentor, guide, shoulder to cry on, a listening ear and a godly Christian who is unapologetic about her faith in the classroom.
Thanking people is not something we often do. We sometimes wait too late — they either move away or die. It was so encouraging to see the impact Audrey has had on so many people over 44 years and how excited and thrilled they were to express their love and appreciation.. Jesus says in John 15:13, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (ESV). Audrey has consistently done this for 44 years.
In the Bible is a very touching story that occurred after King Saul died and David became king. On of the first things David did and said was to the men who buried former King Saul in 2 Samuel 2:5, “Now may the Lord show steadfast love and faithfulness to you. And I will do good to you because you have done this thing” (ESV).
All of us can be quick with criticism, being judgmental, and condemnation. If I heard my own mother say this once, I heard her say it hundreds of times, “If you can’t say anything nice, then don’t say anything at all.” To the church at Philippi, the Apostle Paul wrote this in Philippians 1:3-5, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (NIV).
We all need to heed the words found in Proverbs 15:4, “Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit” (NLT). That is what words of appreciation do. Listen to the words of Kevin Mercer below:
“First-year UNC coach Hubert Davis was asked about his faith during a press conference introducing him as the new coach of the University of North Carolina Tar Heels in April 2021.
He said, “[Faith is] the most important thing to me. My faith and foundation [are] firmly in my relationship with Jesus. It just is. And my mother was a Christian and she begged me to go to church growing up. And I didn’t want to go. I wasn’t interested in it. My mom used to always say that Jesus had a plan for me. And at the time growing up, I didn’t understand it and I didn’t listen to it.”
Davis said he grew a tremendous hatred toward God after his mother passed away in high school. His animosity continued into his first two years at UNC. He couldn’t reconcile what his mom had told him with the pain of her loss.
Davis continued, “One of the things that [legendary Tar Heels coach Dean] Smith used to do was make all the freshmen go to church. And as I went to church, only because Coach Smith and (assistant) Coach Guthridge encouraged me to go to church, I started to understand what my mom was talking about. I started to understand the sacrifice that Jesus made for me and how much He loves me, and two days before my junior year of college, I became a Christian.
Instead of being upset that Jesus has taken away the most beautiful person in my life in my mom, I’m thankful every day that He gave me the best that I could ever have for 16 years. … My faith in Christ is the foundation of who I am” (Source: Kevin Mercer, “First-year UNC coach Hubert Davis reaches 20 wins with Christ as 'foundation of who I am,’ Sports Spectrum (2-23-22).
What words of appreciation UNC Coach Huber David had for Coach Dean Smith and Assistant Coach Guthridge. As I though about this, it got me wondering about how all of us need to be more intentional in doing this ourselves. The Apostle Paul was great and intentional at doing this. He writes this in 1 Thessalonians 1:2, “We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers” (ESV). I wish to express my appreciation to my wife Audrey for impacting students, parents, faculty and administrators for the glory of Jesus Christ for 44 years.
Questions To Consider
- Who do you need to express some words of appreciation to for their impact on your life?
- Who gets the biggest blessing in expressing appreciation and thanksgiving to someone? The giver or the recipient? The giver. Jesus said, “It is better to give than to receive.” The element of surprise is often a blessing. Find a creative way this week to surprise someone with a word of thanks that may not receive much appreciation.
- In what ways do you need to express to God your appreciation to Him for all that He has done for you?
Scripture To Meditate On: Colossians 4:2, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving" (ESV).
Prayer To Pray: “Dear Lord, please convict me to find ways to express my appreciation and thanks to others so that they are encouraged by You. Thank You Lord for all You have done and continue to do for me. I love You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
I love and appreciate you Southside!—Pastor Kelly