well done (no buts)

Last night I spoke at church - well, anyone can speak up, but I was the one guiding the discussion. It turned out to be an exercise in encouragement for me. You see, I tend to see where I (and others) fall short and I can be too quick to point it out. When I asked God what he wanted to say to this particular group of people that night, two words very plainly rang in my head, "Well done." And I had to fight to keep the talk from becoming a lesson in how to do better and correct our mistakes and try harder and use our talents more effectively, for I knew all God really wanted to do was encourage and let people feel his pleasure. So I tried to do that and at the end of the evening sang this song that I had jotted down just before the meeting:

Well done, my friend

Good and faithful and true

Well done, well done

The servant of God is alive in you, yes the servant of God is alive and well in you.

For every time you wanted to give up and didn't - well done

For leaving the past behind and moving on - well done

For every time you gave a helping hand - well done

For everyone who is right here, right now - well done

For staying when others walk away - well done

For asking for help when you know you can't do it alone - well done

For every time you get up after you fall - well done

For giving when you would rather receive - well done

Every time you opened your arms to a stranger - well done

Every time you shared some of your food - well done

For going to work everyday and providing for people - well done

For praying for others time after time - well done

For taking care of the small things you have been given - well done

For being a friend one can count on - well done

For making the time to wait on God - well done

For giving and giving and not holding back - well done

Well done, my friend

Good and faithful and true

Well done, well done

The servant of God is alive in you, yes the servant of God is alive and well in you.

This is another fine photo by my nephew Jeff. Well done.