I was talking with a good friend, Chris Blair yesterday who is a pastor in Oregon. He and his wife Debbie came to visit us while they’re on vacation to support us as we continue to grieve. We discussed the importance of telling others what we appreciate about them. The people we meet in life (friends, casual acquaintances, co-workers, family, even strangers) truly appreciate it when we compliment them. This is very important for us to do since we live in such a negative and critical environment.
Since Daniel died, I have had so much love from people who tell me what a great guy I am and how much my kindness has helped them. This has helped me tremendously and I I want to uplift others even more than I have in the past. I hope that my mentioning it here will encourage you to do the same. Don’t wait for something terrible to happen to someone you know until you “love on them.” Smile at strangers, say hello to everyone you meet, tell your Mom and Dad, your friends, your siblings, your “better half” something you appreciate about them. They will be edified.
Below is a little note I wrote to a friend a while back. I intended it to be for a book I want to write titled, “Letters to My Friends.” It is short, simple and, perhaps to some, not all that significant. But it is sincere and very much how I feel about him. He has not yet read it, but I hope he will now that it being published in this blog.
May 20, 2012- Rick Criscione
Rick and I have known each other since 1977 when, as students at San Jose Bible College, we struck up a friendship that has lasted all these years. I count Rick as one of my best friends and closest confidants. We now live a couple of miles from each other and attend the same church.
Dear Rick:
As I was getting ready for church this morning, you came to my mind. I began to think about what a faithful servant you are to the Ceres Christian Church congregation. You are there week in and week out heading up the team of deacons and ushers. You make sure that there is enough communion emblems to go around, you count the attendees and you assure that the building temperature is set at a comfortable level. Some people might not think these tasks are very significant, but I do. Your service in this area is important to the smooth operation of Sunday mornings. Thank you for your service.
Since Daniel died, I have had so much love from people who tell me what a great guy I am and how much my kindness has helped them. This has helped me tremendously and I I want to uplift others even more than I have in the past. I hope that my mentioning it here will encourage you to do the same. Don’t wait for something terrible to happen to someone you know until you “love on them.” Smile at strangers, say hello to everyone you meet, tell your Mom and Dad, your friends, your siblings, your “better half” something you appreciate about them. They will be edified.
Below is a little note I wrote to a friend a while back. I intended it to be for a book I want to write titled, “Letters to My Friends.” It is short, simple and, perhaps to some, not all that significant. But it is sincere and very much how I feel about him. He has not yet read it, but I hope he will now that it being published in this blog.
May 20, 2012- Rick Criscione
Rick and I have known each other since 1977 when, as students at San Jose Bible College, we struck up a friendship that has lasted all these years. I count Rick as one of my best friends and closest confidants. We now live a couple of miles from each other and attend the same church.
Dear Rick:
As I was getting ready for church this morning, you came to my mind. I began to think about what a faithful servant you are to the Ceres Christian Church congregation. You are there week in and week out heading up the team of deacons and ushers. You make sure that there is enough communion emblems to go around, you count the attendees and you assure that the building temperature is set at a comfortable level. Some people might not think these tasks are very significant, but I do. Your service in this area is important to the smooth operation of Sunday mornings. Thank you for your service.
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