"Hey—way to go!"

A Christian ministry I've worked with for years (writing and editing) made public this letter from one of their supporters—a sad story of the loss of a newborn. But I was encouraged to know that the man and his wife were strengthened each day during their loss by reading the daily devotionals that arrive via email from this ministry. I'm one of three writers who produce the devotionals, so I like to think that I played a small part in encouraging this couple spiritually at a time when they needed it.

Here's the letter the father wrote to the ministry. (I've deleted identifying information):

On November 8, our beautiful boys Eli and Evan were born, 10 weeks early. Eli was healthy, but very fragile, and remained at the Baptist Hospital where he was born. Even on the other hand, was very ill... On December 10, Eli came home (he is healthy and growing fast!). The next day, we were faced with a difficult decision and with Evan’s best interest at heart, we decided to cease care. He was quickly going downhill. And we had tried everything we could to save him. The world-renowned doctors and surgeons even treaded uncharted waters of care to save our precious boy.

On December 13, Evan saw our Jesus... While I held him as he passed, the biggest, sweetest smile came over his face. My wife and I will always believe that is the moment he was welcomed into Heaven.

I write all this to say that during this trying time in our lives, the (ministry name) devotions I receive in my email were exactly what I needed for each day. Soon, my wife and I began eagerly checking email daily to see what the devotion said before we would call the hospitals or travel to them. Without fail, every day we received from God’s Word exactly what we needed for that day. It was as if the devotions were written only for us ...

Thank you for your ministry, and may God continue to bless you. To Him be the glory!

(name/location)

Writing is an isolated occupation; one never knows who reads what has been written or how it might have helped (or not) the reader. So it's nice for me—for any of us—to be affirmed occasionally, even anonymously, so we know our time is being well spent.

The above letter also reminds me that I need to be like that father—taking a moment to thank those whose work or talents make a positive impact on my life. Everyone does something each day that is worthy of affirmation. We just need to watch for it and say, "Hey—way to go. Thanks!"

(On my third call to tech support this afternoon a guy helped me tweak my email program so that it now works. I thanked him profusely and told him he had my permission to take the rest of the day off. He laughed.)