“Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do”
(1 Thessalonians 5:18).
The text that I begin this note was written by the Apostle Paul to the brothers of Thessalonica in his first letter to them. His words reflect the will of God for Jesus’ disciples all time. I am a disciple of Jesus and I am included in the mandate to be grateful.
This December 31 ends a year for me and for all. In reviewing my personal, family life and ministry this year I find many reasons to be thankful. Therefore, in this note, I wish to express my gratitude in writing.
First. Thank God for His eternal salvation through Jesus Christ. I thank Him for giving me a wife and three children. I thank Him for His daily allowance for me and my family. I thank Him for His patience and for His mercy to me. I thank Him for giving me the undeserved privilege of serving in His church and in the world. Thank Him for supporting my ministry. I thank Him for His continued forgiveness and because He has given me new opportunities to rectify and improve my relationship with Him.
Second. Thanks to my wife and kids for being by my side when all is happy and in sad moments. I thank them for their appreciation and love to me as I am; and for their patience.
Third. Thanks to pastors and missionaries who give me the opportunity to serve preaching and teaching the Word of God in their congregations. It is a great privilege to support their ministries.
Fourth. Thanks to my friends and fellow servants who work alongside me in the ministry. Thank them for their appreciation and interest in my personal, family and ministry life. It is a great blessing to work with you.
Fifth. Thanks to my parents, who hosted me and my family at their house. Thanks to them for sharing with us not only their house, but many other things. Share and live with you is making me grow a lot.
Sixth. Thanks to those who pray or make offerings to support my family and ministry. I thank both those who are near and those who are far away. You play a vital role in my personal, family and ministry life.
My gratitude is generic because I do not want to mention to anyone that is a blessing to my life. Humans are dependent, not self-sufficient. We need God and we need other human beings.
God has designed our lives in such a way that gratitude to Him and others be always in our minds and in our hearts. The word thanks is a very deep word. Its meaning is enormous.
I want to finish this year and start next year thanking God and all of you who follow my personal, family and ministry life. God bless you!
¡Thank you so much for read this note!
Segundo Rodríguez