August 21: Thankful for the Ones Who Stayed
Think about the people who didn’t leave. The ones who picked up the phone at two in the morning. The ones who kept inviting you even when you never showed. Have you told them what that meant?
“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;”
Paul wrote this from prison. Things were not going well for him. And still, he opens with gratitude. I thank my God whenever I remember you, always praying with joy, because of your partnership from the first day until now.
Step Eight puts a lot of focus on harm. That’s necessary. But it can leave you feeling like your whole past is a list of damage. Today, look at a different list. The people who stood by you.
Many of them are on your amends list too. That’s the strange thing. Often the people who loved you most are also the ones you hurt most. The spouse who stayed. The friend who kept calling. The parent who kept praying. They paid a price to stay.
Gratitude doesn’t replace amends. But it’s a good companion to them. When you remember someone with thankfulness, it’s easier to become willing to make things right with them. Your heart softens toward them.
You might also notice people you’ve forgotten to thank. The cop who was kind. The nurse who didn’t judge. The coworker who quietly covered. The neighbor who checked on you. They aren’t on your amends list, but they deserve your thanks.
If you use the Steps & Scripture app, you could keep a short list of these people in your notes and pray for them during your morning check-in.
Paul prayed for his friends with joy. You can do the same, even from your own kind of prison. Gratitude doesn’t wait for everything to be fixed.
One thing today
Write down five people who stayed or helped. Send one of them a short message today: “Thank you for not giving up on me.”
A prayer
Lord, thank You for the people who stayed. I don’t deserve them. Bless them for every phone call, every prayer, every second chance. Help me show them I’m grateful. Amen.
Gratitude and amends often go hand in hand in Step Eight.
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