What two words have the power to keep you going? That’s right, you guessed it…thank you! (“You won a vacation” is four words!)
You know how well those two little words can encourage you to keep at it. When someone notices and says “thank you for all your hard work” it gives you that little extra ooommpphh to keep at it. Maybe it shouldn’t be that way—we should do what we do with a pure heart not expecting any thing in return, but who are we kidding? Heartfelt appreciation gives me the desire and strength to keep going.
Another question… what do you have little of in church ministry (besides just about everything)? Money, probably! I don’t know many church workers who have an abundance of money laying around. So I thought I’d share a few ways to say thank you to the people in your church who work so hard week after week—most cost less than $5.
1. Our funds were tight for our MOPS babysitters this year, so I made up some cards using candy bars. I wrote a short note on a half sheet of poster board and taped candy bars in the place of some words. (You’re worth more than a 100 Grand. You are the best babysitter in the Milky Way. We know our kids sometimes act like Airheads, but you make them Smarties. We love you to (Reese’s) Pieces. Hugs and Kisses.)
2. Buy a small can of Play-doh and attach a simple note that says, “Thanks for shaping our kids’ lives.”
3. Buy a $5 gift card from Starbucks (or fast-food restaurant). Attach a note that says, “Thanks for all your hard work; enjoy a little treat from us.”
4. Buy a pack of note cards or a magnetic shopping list. Add a post-it note that says, “Thanks for your “noteworthy” contributions to our church.”
5. Give a flashlight (with batteries) and a note that says, “Thanks for letting your light shine.”
These are just a few ideas (thanks to Children’s Ministry magazine for a couple of them). If you think about it, I’m sure you could think of lots more. Slip one in a teacher’s class before she arrives on Sunday morning or put one in a gift bag with tissue paper. It’s not really the gift that counts; it’s the thought and appreciation behind it!
