5 Powerful Ways to Say Thank You

While I firmly believe that  saying thank you in person is the best way, sometimes a simple card in the mail to someone is powerful. People love to receive gifts, have someone compliment them, or be acknowledged for something they did. That adds value and goes a long way in building relationships.

That's why I started something that has proven to be powerful in saying thank you. Every Monday at the office, I think back on the week before and  remember things I noticed people did to serve others or help out around the church. I load up on simple thank you cards and kept a stock on hand for this. I simply write a hand written personal thank you to 5 people that I saw serve or help.

Once I sent a card to a small child that I noticed helping his dad take up the Sunday offering. The dad was just training up his child and letting him help out that day. It was a simple task but one I thought should be acknowledged. So, that following Monday, he was one of the 5 cards I sent out that week. A few days later, his mom posted the card on her Facebook page thanking ME for sending that thank you card to her son. The child was so excited to get a card in the mail and much more that it was to thank him for serving with dad. What a blessing for me to see his response.

Every Monday, while at the office, I take some time to think of 5 people that served or helped around church that week and I send them a hand written thank you. I keep a list of who I mail to so I don't keep sending the same people cards over and over. It takes just 15 minutes of my day and the reward for me is the opportunity to thank people. If you look around and be cognitive of your surroundings, you will see them. They are people that serve and help without even realizing it. Those 5 thank you cards will become powerful ways to thank others.

Comments? Suggestions? 

3 Ways To Jump Start Your Day

Business Administrators, try these to start your day better.

Depending on how you are wired, you may be like me and start your day fast and furious as soon as you get in your office. Your "to do" list grew over night and by the time you get to work, your off and running. There are days you get a phone call before you leave the house that one of your staff are out sick and now you are feeling behind before you even start. Does this sound like you?

Before you get that overwhelmed feeling of a crazy schedule for the day, try doing these three things. Make them your daily routine before you get into your office and get start. I know your rushed some days and feel you don't have time to do any of these. Trust me! You have time or can make the time and they will help you greatly to start your day off not feeling better even on those hectic start days.

1. As you arrive to the church, drive around the perimeter of the campus. This will take around 5- 10 minutes depending on the size of your campus. Drive slow and notice things that need attention. Drive through the parking lots and around buildings and behind buildings. Make a route and then make it a routine every day. The outside of your campus doesn't always get the close look it needs. Your busy schedule keeps you in the office area and in meetings most the day. This allows you a few minutes every day to check the outside as you drive around making mental notes.

2. Once inside the building, do not go directly to your office. Take a walk around the complex down common areas, large spaces like the Worship Center, Fellowship Hall, the Chapel, and other often used spaces. Look for things out of place or needing attention. Don't rush, make it a casual walk checking things out and making mental notes again. Just take 5-10 minutes for a walk through.

3. Its not office time just yet! I know you are chomping at the bit to get in there are start your hectic day. Take the next few minutes walking to each of your staff team members office and saying hello. Ask how they are doing and if you can help them with anything. If it is Monday , maybe ask how their weekend went. If you sense a need, take a minute and pray with them. This is one of THE best ways to add value to your team. They feel important and valued that you took time to stop by and acknowledge them. Now their day just started out better!

Do these without fail every day of the week and see what a huge difference it will make in your day and the days of your team members. Now you can go to your office and start. It will wait on you to do these three things. Now you are are not so rushed and can think more clearly to get started.

Comments? Suggestions? Just do it!

Never Fatherless

I turned 16 years old in October 1970. I was a sophomore in high school in Corpus Christi, Texas and the day I got my license my dad put me to work in the family auto parts business. I worked for my dad for eleven years until he sold the family business and retired. He taught me business sense, extraordinary customer service, and marketing during those years. My dad was very well known in the automotive parts world and ran a great business for 20 plus years. After he retired, we all moved to Arlington, Texas where I opened a wholesale auto parts warehouse. Business was booming and I soon needed his help. Now after eleven years working for dad, he went to work for me. We worked together side by side for another five years until I eventually sold my company. Dad reluctantly retired, again. In May of 2000 I lost my mom to a heart attack and in August that same year, I lost my dad to old age. Both left earth within months of each other to be with Jesus for eternity. Y2K turned out to be nothing but the year 2000 was as storm for my family and I, losing both our parents. 

In February of 2000, just before losing my mom and dad, I joined a staff at a church in Fort Worth. The Senior Adult Minister was Bob Taylor. The moment I first stepped into his office to meet him, we prayed together. That started a lifetime friendship. For seven years Bob and I served God together making hospital visits and eating breakfast every week. Bob prays about everything. Phil 4.6. He had three grown sons of his own yet took me in like a son. During our friendship, Bob has lost two sons and his wife. He is my mentor, father figure, and prayer warrior here on earth. I know that one day I will lose Bob too.

But I will never be fatherless

In Deuteronomy chapter 31 Moses is speaking to the people telling them he is 120 years old and can no longer lead them. In verse 6 he assures them that in his absence God will never leave them nor forsake them. They will not be a fatherless people. Then in Hebrews chapter 13 Paul is giving his final words in his letter and in verse 5 he reminds them what God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" assuring the reader that even in his absence, God will be with them.

No matter if we have lost our earthy fathers or father figure, Psalm 68:5, as a Christ follower we will never be fatherless. We will always have Abba Father who will never leave us. That is a truth grounded in the Word of God that we can depend on every day of our earthy life as Christians. Take joy as we approach Fathers Day and make the time to spend with your earthly father to love and honor him and thank him for being a great dad. If you are like me and have lost your earthy father, remember you are not fatherless. If you have never trusted Christ with your life nor believe that he died on the cross for your sins and was raised again and is alive, take a few minutes to pray and ask for his forgiveness and believe.