gratitude expressed

What a weekend! At our church we marked the closing of our Girls’ Brigade Company with a weekend in which we celebrated 74 years of ministry with a party for the existing girls, a reunion for those who have been in the Company in the past (over 100 came along, including some from the very earliest days!) and a special service that was attended by a number of former GB girls.

We have had very mixed emotions as we came to this moment in the life of our church. GB has been doing an amazing job with girls for many years and has been served fantastically by a team of officers and helpers who have given their time, talents, energy and love to the girls who came along. We honour that and thank God (and them) for all that has taken place.

At the reunion there were tears of sadness at the loss of the GB company and very moving tributes about what it has meant to those who have attended over the years. There was laughter and hilarity when confessions were made about mischief made in the past, ‘ladders’ was played again and the band had a final* fling – accompanied by me on the Bass Drum, recalling my days in the Boys’ Brigade. There was some drill as well, although the size of the hall restricted what could be done.

And on Sunday we marked the formal end of the Company and once again thanked God and those who have served him so faithfully. Many more tears were shed and we were encouraged not to let the legacy fail by the GB National President, Mavis Hughesdon. We reflected on the GB motto: to seek, serve and follow Christ and considered what that means for us today. I found the service a moving blend of gratitude, remembering, joy and tears.

*The band had a final, final fling in our car park after the service.

Reflecting on the weekend today I have not been able to get the weekend out of my head. There were so many current and former girls to whom GB has meant so much. There was so much for which we should be thankful. And we are also rejoicing that the new group, Remix, that is starting after Easter, will include most of the current GB leaders in the new team alongside some of those who have served in our Fusion youth club (also closing) and new volunteers. The gifts, talents, experience and expertise are not going to be lost.

If I had been one of the GB leaders this weekend I would have found it overwhelming. So many people have been blessed, encouraged, taught, inspired and led to faith through their ministry and it was wonderful that so many of them felt so strongly about it that they came back to mark the event and express their gratitude.

If we held a reunion for our lives, how many people would come to say that they have been blessed, encouraged, taught, inspired and led to faith through us? And how many would turn up and surprise us because we were unaware of the positive influence we have been. Be encouraged that even the simplest things we do to help others seek Jesus, the most onerous ways we serve Jesus in serving others, and the seemingly mundane ways we follow Jesus will have a significant impact on the lives of others. Like Jesus fed a multitude with a boy’s packed lunch, he takes the simple things in life (us) and multiplies them.

And perhaps there are people whom we can identify who have been a part of our life in that way whom we can thank to bless and encourage them in return.

Be blessed, be a blessing.

A pastor was doing a funeral the first week of a new appointment and therefore was unable to say anything at all about the man. So he asked for those present to share. He said, “Is there anyone here how can say something good about this man?”

Silence.

He went on, “Is there someone here who can say something pretty good about this man?”

More silence.

Again the pastor went on, “Is there someone who can say anything at all that is at least somewhat positive about this man?”

Finally an older gentleman stood up and said, “Well, he wasn’t as bad as his brother!”