Newsletter November 2019
“It’s my pleasure.” As the story goes, these were the words that impressed Chick-fil-a founder Truett Cathy when he expressed his thanks to an employee during his stay at the Ritz Carlton hotel. In that moment, there was a connection between the joy of being served and the joy of serving and he knew he wanted that same connection as part of the culture of his spreading restaurants.
What makes this interchange of thanks expressed and pleasure received really authentic?  The extent to which these words actually reveal what is happening in the depths of our hearts, particularly our deep desires. 

During Thanksgiving we focus on expressing our thanks to God for all his many blessings. It made me consider, how does God respond to our thankfulness?

God created us for authentic connection, not just with each other but himself. He created us out of love, to be loved and experience his love in a multitude of ways so that we might love him and those around us. When we open our whole hearts to let his love touch us to the depth of our deep desires our response can be an authentic, “Thank you.” 
David knew this reality when he declared in Psalm 86:12-13:

" I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. For your steadfast love is great toward me; you have delivered my soul from the realm of the dead.” (ESV)

From every level of his heart David expressed thanksgiving for God’s faithful love that delivered him from death and gave him life.

So how does God respond to our thankfulness? I can’t help but wonder, might his response be “It’s my pleasure?”
The longer I walk with the Lord, I am more convinced that my expression of thankfulness does bring Him pleasure.  
As I have grown in experiencing the revelation of His love in the depths of my Heart by pausing to see his loving care in the beauty of a tree changing colors, the glory of a sunset, the tenderness of a relational connection, the joy of actually opening my heart to receive the gratefulness of a friend for the impact of my life, thankfulness if birthed in my heart and deep desires are touched for beauty, connection and impact and value.

As I pause and more wholeheartedly express thanks to God, I see a smile upon his face, I feel the warmth of his embrace.

Through my expression of thanksgiving, I have the privilege of bringing joy and pleasure to my Creator and Redeemer.
This Thanksgiving as you serve and are served, as you experience life itself, may you pause and express wholehearted thanks to those around you and to the One from whom all blessings flow.  In you serving may you experience great pleasure and in your thankfulness may you bring great pleasure.
" In longing for provision the way I want it, how many times have I turned my nose up at the way God chose to provide ?"
How have you responded to “manna you did not like?”

Wellspring Group's Women's Equipping Coordinator, Dana Smith, shares honestly about her journey of recognizing her pride and ungratefulness and rejoicing in God's Provision in our latest blog.
Will You Play A Part In Give Heart?
In 2019 we have seen a 36% increase of participants at our Battle for the Heart events.

We have a goal to raise $5,000 in new monthly commitments this year in our Give Heart Campaign that enables us to provide our offerings at hard dollar cost.