Thanks to all the positive contributors

There is no such thing as a self-made man. We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us, or spoken one word of encouragement to us, has entered into the makeup of our character and our thoughts, as well as our success.

-- GEORGE MATTHEW ADAMS

Thank you, thank you and thank you. This is a column of thanks to you readers. I realize that I have written this column for more than 7 1/2 years, which is a fact that truly surprises me. The weeks seem to come more quickly each year, as do the deadlines, and I thank God for his faithfulness in helping me each and every week. Even when God first gave me the idea about the column, I never really thought through the ramifications of what that entailed -- specifically, that weekly means that it has to be written every week. I know it seems like that should be obvious, but it wasn’t.

I remember when finishing a column seemed like a monumental accomplishment, and that I experienced a tremendous sense of relief when I finally sent it in. The feeling didn’t last too long, however, because soon I realized that I needed to start thinking about the next column and then the next and so on.

Writing the column always takes more time than I wish it did, but some weeks it does seem to flow fairly smoothly. Other times, it can be quite a challenge. On those weeks, it feels like I chisel away for hours at a slab of marble, waiting expectantly to see what kind of sculpture the marble may become.

Since I feel that it is really God’s column, and not mine, I always pray for his guidance before, during and after writing. I am thankful to God and the editors for the opportunity to write the column, and I pray that the words on the page can help to encourage those who read them. It never ceases to amaze me how God knows exactly when I need a word of encouragement from readers to spur me on, and I want to thank you for doing so.

I can’t tell you readers how much your notes, e-mails and comments mean to me, and I want you to know that I save and savor them all. I am happy when I hear that a column has inspired or helped someone in some way. Once, after a column on how God wants us to pray about anything and everything, a reader wrote that “something clicked after reading that, and I realized that God does care about all the details of my life, and I began to think of him more like a heavenly father than a distant God.”

I always enjoy running into readers out in the community and appreciate hearing their thoughts. This often happens at the market; in fact, last week, one woman said she loved reading the column about adoption, because she was adopted, and she enjoyed reading about the special and unique blessing that is adoption.

One week, my column did not appear, due to technical problems, and there was no explanation for its absence. Several people called to make sure that I was fine. I told them that I was as surprised as they were, but that I really appreciated their concern and kind words.

Many people contribute to who we are and what we do. Let’s see how we can consciously and positively contribute to others.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at [email protected] or through the mail at 537 Newport Center Drive, Box 505, Newport Beach, CA 92660.

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