Have You Expressed ... Your Appreciation?
Did someone …?
???have a major impact on your life?
??????Did you express your appreciation?
??????????Don’t let time prevent it!?
There was a friend who had a major impact on my life.
It was almost 30 years before I expressed my appreciation directly to him.?I told others, but not him.
My wife, Oleta and I had moved to East Point, GA, the town where I grew up.?We had one child, and another was on the way.
A high school friend of mine, Jimmy Stanley came to visit and invite us to his church.?
I was not interested.?At that time, I had lost interest in religious and spiritual matters.
Jimmy kept coming back.?A new young couples Sunday School Class, taught by T.J. Jones, a popular Russell High School coach was the teacher.?
I was not interested.
Jimmy kept coming back …
??????again, and again.
He was a master of coming back without making me feel pushed.
Finally, we went to visit the church.?
????We never stopped!
Jimmy Stanley’s concern for me and my family had a tremendous impact on my life.
For 20 years, I told the story …
???of the impact he had on my life ...
????????in speeches I made.
??????????????But … I never told Jimmy!
He had moved away long ago, but after much searching, I found where he lived and wrote him this long overdue letter.
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August 23, 1988
Jimmy, for a long time I have thought about writing you.
As I have thought about individuals who have had a major impact on my life, you always come to the forefront.?It occurred to me that you may not even be aware of the impact that you had on my life so, it seemed appropriate that I write and express to you my heartfelt appreciation.
When I moved my family back to East Point 29 years ago, you came and visited us to invite us to East Point Christian Church.
When you came, you found me not very interested in attending church or anything else spiritual.?Even though you contacted us several times, we expressed little interest.?Only your persistence motivated us to come the first time.?Then, as we attended there was a reawakening of our spiritual desires that could only be satisfied by a total recommitment to the Lord.
As I think back, I wonder what would have become of Oleta and me, and our family, if it had not been for the persistence of Jimmy Stanley??If we had not experienced the genuine concern that you expressed for us and our spiritual welfare, where would we be today??I shudder to think of the probable answers!
Jimmy, I owe you a great debt of gratitude!?There is just no way that I could let any more time pass without writing to tell you how much I appreciate what you did for me and my family.?Please accept my thanks and my love for the great part that you played in restoring my relationship with the Lord!
Oleta and I pray that all is well with you and yours.
Trom
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??????(Trom is my nickname.)
Do you have a long overdue thank you?
????Don’t be like me and keep putting it off.
??????????Tomorrow … may never come.
Do it now!
???You will be glad you did!
???????So will the person you thank!
--- Jimmy Collins
Like ideas for your stories? My latest book?Jimmy’s Stories?is available on Amazon:..
Career advancing principles are in my book,?Creative Followership. Available on Amazon.
DNJETC
1 年Great advice Jimmy Collins!! As usual, you come thru with meaningful, wise and profound ideas/recommendations! You are certainly having an impact in many.....including me. Thank you!