To Those Who Send Us

This is a beautiful poem written by someone other than myself but it explains my thoughts exactly on how I feel to those who have sent us, supported us, loved us, and prayed for us.  God brings gifts and help from unlikely and unexpected places.  Some of our biggest support comes from those unlikely places.  This is how we know it is God!  So thank you!  You know who you are!

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I didn’t know that I’d need you like I do.

I didn’t know how much your prayers and send-offs would bolster my soul.

I never knew that I’d only ever be able to go and serve the world because I was first served by you.

When you showed up at the church, arms ladened with food and pretty things, to send us off in style, I didn’t know how much it would mean to me.

When you set up tables in the early morning hours and sold your things for me, I didn’t know that I would crumble when you handed me wads of cash.

When you gave me pictures, cards and light-weight gifts, when you scratched “We’ll miss you!” on chalkboards, I didn’t know it’d melt me right through.

When you laid hands on me, spoke bold and tearful prayers for me, I didn’t know the power of that would carry me through.

I didn’t know you’d mourn the hole left by me, that I’d leave you there grieving while I set off into the wild blue yonder.

I didn’t know there’d be so many days I’d sink down, feeling not enough for this life, this work.  I didn’t know that he’d use your faith in me to pick me up again.

I didn’t know that when I am back, your wide open arms would feel like home.

I didn’t know how good it’d taste to circle round a table with you again.  To feast on laughter and stories and tears.

I didn’t know how I’d be humble again and again by your sacrifice for me, that year after year you’d say, “We believe in you still.”

I hoped that “All I have needed Thy hand would provide,” I just didn’t know that you would be that hand.

If hospitality is to treat others with warmth and generosity, then I can be hospitable here in this corner of the world because you first pressed your warmth and generosity into me.

I can lavish them, because you lavish me.   

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Find the author and original post here: http://velvetashes.com/the-grove-hospitality/