Thank you

I want to say thank you. I saw some medical professionals at Blount Memorial Hospital this week be very, well, professional. But more than professional… caring would be a better word. I’ve seen it numerous times because of my interactions with the staff, through both personal experience with family and being a law enforcement chaplain but this morning I decided to tell them. I was at the hospital so I went to the ER and chased down a couple of them that, in my opinion, stood out. I told them thank you. Do you want to know what one of them said? She said, “That means a lot. We usually just hear complaints. I get it. Their world is turned upside down. That means a lot.”

So I thought about that and decided to say thank you:

·      To the custodian that smiled at me in the hospital early this morning. Thank you!

·      To the lady that almost caused a wreck on 321 so she could let me out in traffic. Thank you!

·      To the Alcoa linemen that I saw at breakfast this morning thinking about the pending storms, I know you’re dreading it but that you will do all you can to restore power if it happens. Thank you!

·      To the law enforcement officers that take the job as more than a gun and badge and genuinely care for their community and strive to show that in their attitude and actions. Thank you!

·      To the teachers starting summer break by preparing for the next year already because you love children and are willing to be what they need you to be. Thank you!

·      To our government officials/workers who work to keep things moving everyday but are rarely recognized for the service that you provide, thank you!

Not a comprehensive list but it’s a start. To you, who will make an effort to be kind to someone today. Thank you! I don’t think there is another gesture that costs so little but pays back 10x what you invest in it. People are hurting today. Some you know and some you don’t. The hurt is deep and its wide and it seems insurmountable. Your smile. Your compassion. Your kindness speaks volumes to hurting people. Words can help but they’re not necessary. Here are a few guidelines for someone who may be wondering what this means and how to do it. High five a random child walking through the aisle at the store. Be patient with an elderly person that may not be as nimble as they used to be. Oh, and about this one, communicate to your face that you’re being patient. Fake kindness pisses me off. If you’re going to blow air out your mouth while fake smiling, I will throat punch you for that sweet or mean old lady that wishes she still could. Sorry, lost it there for a minute. Text a word of encouragement to someone you haven’t communicated with in a while. Tell them something you read on the internet reminded you of them and you thought you would reach out (hint hint, this is that something). Do you have a number of someone who has helped you recently either in a minor or a major way? Thank them. 

This isn’t some grand revelation but I have learned that in today’s society, we need reminded to be kind. Otherwise we fall into the same trap of anger and just being mean. 

Try thinking about it this way. Remember when you were exhausted from hurting? Remember when you felt lonely? Remember when you didn’t think anyone cared? What do you wish someone would have done for or said to you? Do that for someone else today. You don’t feel like it? They don’t either but someone has to break the cycle. Might as well be us! 

Have a great week!

Pastor DadI want to say thank you. I saw some medical professionals at Blount Memorial Hospital this week be very, well, professional. But more than professional… caring would be a better word. I’ve seen it numerous times because of my interactions with the staff, through both personal experience with family and being a law enforcement chaplain but this morning I decided to tell them. I was at the hospital so I went to the ER and chased down a couple of them that, in my opinion, stood out. I told them thank you. Do you want to know what one of them said? She said, “That means a lot. We usually just hear complaints. I get it. Their world is turned upside down. That means a lot.”

So I thought about that and decided to say thank you:

·      To the custodian that smiled at me in the hospital early this morning. Thank you!

·      To the lady that almost caused a wreck on 321 so she could let me out in traffic. Thank you!

·      To the Alcoa linemen that I saw at breakfast this morning thinking about the pending storms, I know you’re dreading it but that you will do all you can to restore power if it happens. Thank you!

·      To the law enforcement officers that take the job as more than a gun and badge and genuinely care for their community and strive to show that in their attitude and actions. Thank you!

·      To the teachers starting summer break by preparing for the next year already because you love children and are willing to be what they need you to be. Thank you!

·      To our government officials/workers who work to keep things moving everyday but are rarely recognized for the service that you provide, thank you!

Not a comprehensive list but it’s a start. To you, who will make an effort to be kind to someone today. Thank you! I don’t think there is another gesture that costs so little but pays back 10x what you invest in it. People are hurting today. Some you know and some you don’t. The hurt is deep and its wide and it seems insurmountable. Your smile. Your compassion. Your kindness speaks volumes to hurting people. Words can help but they’re not necessary. Here are a few guidelines for someone who may be wondering what this means and how to do it. High five a random child walking through the aisle at the store. Be patient with an elderly person that may not be as nimble as they used to be. Oh, and about this one, communicate to your face that you’re being patient. Fake kindness pisses me off. If you’re going to blow air out your mouth while fake smiling, I will throat punch you for that sweet or mean old lady that wishes she still could. Sorry, lost it there for a minute. Text a word of encouragement to someone you haven’t communicated with in a while. Tell them something you read on the internet reminded you of them and you thought you would reach out (hint hint, this is that something). Do you have a number of someone who has helped you recently either in a minor or a major way? Thank them. 

This isn’t some grand revelation but I have learned that in today’s society, we need reminded to be kind. Otherwise we fall into the same trap of anger and just being mean. 

Try thinking about it this way. Remember when you were exhausted from hurting? Remember when you felt lonely? Remember when you didn’t think anyone cared? What do you wish someone would have done for or said to you? Do that for someone else today. You don’t feel like it? They don’t either but someone has to break the cycle. Might as well be us! 

Have a great week!

Pastor Dad