No Thanks Necessary

It was a little over a year ago when I was informed that I was shortly going to become unemployed because one of the company investors was going to be taking my job. After a time of praying and discussing it with Michelle, I began the process of preparing for my career change. Early on, one of my friends offered to pass my resume along to a friend of his that had a strong human resources background. He thought that she might be able to critique my work and offer some hints on making it more effective. Not being one to refuse a helping hand, I gladly accepted. The resulting resume was more polished and professional and gave me some early confidence.

Shortly after completion, I took the opportunity one bright Sunday morning after church to introduce myself to Kirsten Hyland and thank her for the help she had given. I don’t remember exactly what either of us said that morning, but I do remember that her response was something in the way of, “No thanks are necessary. I’m just glad I was able to help out a little.”

Now I’ve heard that response from others at various times in my life. Sometimes they mean, “I’m glad you finally took the time to seek me out and thank me.” Other times it means, “Well somebody had to help you. It might as well have been me.” It might even mean, “I really don’t have any more time for you. Please allow me to get on with my own life.” But there was something about the friendly way Kirsten put it, and the way she continued the conversation and advice that told me that she actually meant, “No thanks are necessary. I’m just glad I was able to help out a little.”

I truly regret that I never got a chance to really know Kirsten. On the other hand, since Kirsten, and her husband John, joined our Friday night bible study group last fall, I was more fortunate than most of the other 6.8 million people in the world. I was given the opportunity to become friends with a person that followed Christ’s instructions. He said (John 13:34)

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

From the little that I got to know Kirsten, she didn’t just read this verse; she lived it. Kirsten, while I understand that thanks are not necessary, they are sincere. Thank you, Child of God, for your help, your understanding, your love, and your life.

Say a prayer for somebody today.