The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Isaiah 38:15-19, “What shall I say? For He has spoken to me, and He Himself has done it; I will wander about all my years because of the bitterness of my soul.
16 “O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these is the life of my spirit; O restore me to health and let me live!
17 “Lo, for my own welfare I had great bitterness; it is You who has kept my soul from the pit of nothingness, for You have cast all my sins behind Your back.
18 “For Sheol cannot thank You, death cannot praise You; Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for Your faithfulness.
19 “It is the living who give thanks to You, as I do today; A father tells his sons about Your faithfulness.”

I’m sure in the past that I have utilized a small part of this space to tell of a man,
whose house was on fire, whose horse was tied and could not escape, and who
himself was inside his house and, baring rescue, would certainly have died in the flames. Although rescued by his loving neighbors, he never said, “Thank you.” What he did say was, “That’s what neighbors is for.”

When was the last time you said “Thank you” to someone? Earlier today (as of this writing), I received an email from a friend. I immediately responded with a “Thank you!” It’s a two-word sentence that anyone can express. Even a child’s
sweet little “tank to” is meaningfully expressive and graciously appreciated.

Most, if not all, who are reading these lines, have friends or loved ones to whom
they failed to say “Thank you.” Sheol is the place of the dead. There is no current
communication with those in Sheol; thus, we cannot say “Thank you!” to any
whom we neglected when they were living.

There are few mentions of “thank You” in Scripture, yet even fewer than from those for whom the Scripures were written. It doesn’t take long to say two words. And whatever else might be said, those two words will be remembered without fail. Look for opportunities to say them. They will soften and sweeten the spirit
of those for whom they are intended; and they will soften and sweeten the spirit
of the doer. “Thank you for reading this Grands Letter.”

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom