Women of the Word — Donna Evans

"Give thanks." Psalm 105:1a (NIV)

I've taken a bit of a break from Bible Bits over the last few weeks, but I haven't taken a break from writing. Instead of devotionals, I've been writing thank you notes-- and lots of them! Our family has been overwhelmed with the outpouring of people's generosity, love, care, and concern following my Mama's recent death. One of the young moms in my Thursday morning Bible study said, "We just wanted you to feel loved!" Indeed I have.

Mama was truly a woman of the word. And I'm not just talking about a woman of God's Word. Oh, she was that for sure, but more than that, Mama was all about written words: cards, notes, letters, Guideposts inspirational articles, and books. Mama would "practice" writing her thank you notes before she actually wrote and sent them. She wanted to make sure that her wording was "just right." Mama's three cardinal rules for a proper thank you note were: prompt, personal, and sincere. Mama just didn't have it in her to use a pre-printed "the family of _______ " acknowledges with grateful appreciation your kind expression of sympathy" card like the ones the funeral homes hand you after the service. Those cards will do in a pinch and are certainly better than no thank you note at all, but they weren't for Mama. Instead, she chose to write her thank you notes with what I now have come to call "art and heart."

Author/Pastor John Piper once wrote that there are eyes in pens and pencils. As I've written dozens of thank you notes over the last four weeks, I've found this to be true. Writing brings clarity. It is is a way of slowing us down and opening our eyes to see what we do not otherwise see or what we might have missed in the moment. My normal Type A/list driven/get it done personality would normally try to push through as fast as humanly possible and finish my notes more from duty than delight. As I've intentionally taken the time to strive to make my thank you notes prompt, personal, and sincere, I've found myself being much more thankful for the Giver than the actual gift given. The result is that whatever gift initially brought us comfort continues to give as I remember- and thank- the One who gave it. Gifts of grace plus gratitude bring me joy. My thank you note writing is now driven by delight, not duty, as I remember, rehearse, and recall each gift and Giver.

I haven't finished writing my thank you notes. They may no longer meet Mama's "prompt" standard, but I am striving to make each one personal and sincere. Not surprisingly, just about the time I think I'm almost through, I remember someone else who needs to be thanked. Again, not out of duty, but out of gratitude. Some of these folks cared for Mama long before her funeral and include:

a retired Secret Service agent who faithfully brought Mama flowers each week for six years as part of his church's shut in ministry
the LOVE ministry ladies who arranged those flowers
the young family whose children faithfully mailed Mama a hand written card each week
the pastor who shepherded her for over thirty years
a beloved sister-in-law who not only advocated for Mama but cared for her as a daughter
grandsons who served as her pallbearers
a brother and sister who never flinched or failed in their commitment to care for and love Mama

My thank you list continues to grow as I realize all the gifts and Givers that God used to truly bring Mama- and me- comfort care in her last years.

As we enter this Thanksgiving season I encourage you to put John Piper's "there are eyes in pens and pencils" premise to the test. Writing does indeed bring clarity. Once you get started, it's almost impossible to stop naming the myriad gifts of God's grace.

"God gives gifts of grace; we give thanks; and the result is joy. Thanksgiving leads to thanksgiving." -Ann Voskamp