thankful for my family and friends

Romans 16 is the conclusion of Paul's beautiful and thoughtful letter, filled with personal greeting to specific people.  Reading it this morning reminded me of two things:

• The Christian journey is not meant to be walked alone.  We need each other.  Paul spent a whole chapter of the Bible greeting people who had walked alongside him, helping him at various times of his life.  I must die to self-reliance and learn to ask for help, from God and from friends.

• It is important to express my love and gratitude for the people who journey with me.  We all need encouragement.  We all want to feel appreciated.  And expressing my thanks reminds me that I have so much to be thankful for!  Now that I spend so much time sending emails, I very rarely take the time to sit down and write a thank you card.  But God has brought a couple of people into my life who actually do not have internet access (?!).  Over the past few weeks I have been surprised to find several thank you cards in my mailbox.  Hand-written, mailed with a stamp, thank you cards.  They are in my desk now and I can read them when I am feeling discouraged, knowing that someone appreciated me enough to take the time to write a card, address and envelope, buy a stamp, and mail me a card.  What a blessing!  I'm going to send some cards.