Songs are so very powerful.  It’s no wonder that every culture uses songs in one way or another – to soothe babies, to teach toddlers new words and numbers, to express emotion and love, to share solidarity and oneness, to help focus on work and ignore tiredness … and the list goes on and on. 

On my commute to work several mornings ago, the words of an old song came on – on my car mp3 player.  The song was a Christian song called “Thank You for Giving to the Lord”.  It brought back so many memories as I reflected on the first time (and several times) that I had listened to (and watched a video of) this song.  The song, in summary, is about the author’s dream of him being in heaven and people saying “Thank You” to him for his service and financial support. 

As the waves of the song washed over me, the words gave fresh fuel and encouragement to my spirit.  Here are some thoughts related to the song:

• Some of the people that you and I touch and help, we may never meet in person, here on earth. 
   
• Is it better to help people who will not feel obligated to us or try to “repay” us?  Our giving will then be selfless and have no strings attached. 
   
• The good that we do will reap a harvest - as long as the universal law of sowing and reaping is in effect.  Good never dies.
   
• The people who sowed into our lives sometime did so at great sacrifice.
   
• We have all been helped along in life by people at some time or the other.  Probably more than we realize it.  With this in mind, let’s continue to “give back” and keep good in motion, together making the world a better place.
   
• If you believe in heaven and the dream narrated in the song, in heaven, you will be thanked by the people who you have helped in one way or the other.

It’s so fruitful to stop and reflect on the reason why we do what we do.  As you reflect, I hope these thoughts will encourage you and lift you up as they did me.   As you selflessly help others in one way or the other, may the wind be always at your back. 

Lyrics of song and youtube video available here