Little Words, Huge Impact

Have you ever noticed how the employees at Chick-Fil-A say "My pleasure" when you say "Thank You"? There is an intentional reason for this. From Merriam Webster:

"My pleasure" is an idiomatic response to “Thank you.” It is similar to "You’re welcome," but more polite and more emphatic.

Use it in formal conversation when someone thanks you for doing a favor, and you want to respond in a way that tells them that you were very happy to help and that you enjoyed it. You can also use the longer form, “It was my pleasure,” which means the same thing.

More Than a Thank You

In ministry work, there is so much that goes into the mission every day. Supporters, through their donation of time and/or money, are imperative for an organization to thrive. Thanking them for their service is key in acknowledging their efforts. It is a common practice in Event Follow-Up and donation receipt to thank supporters immediately. This is done for a couple of reasons: people want to be certain you received their gift, and giving to others brings people joy which connects your supporters more to your ministry. This simple act of saying "Thank You" literally makes a person happy. These two little words help someone feel significant and more a part of your organization. Through their gift, you can further your mission. On the flip-side, when someone says "Thank You" to you for the life-changing work you do, don't brush it off with a "No Problem" or "It was nothing" — this belittles the important work you do! It's okay to take pleasure in receiving the gratitude being shared. It is written in Proverbs 27:2: "Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips."Showing gratitude to people tends to be easy for people who work in ministry. It is an important way to acknowledge the effort people put into the work they do. And on the same note, receiving gratitude graciously is just as important. This allows others to acknowledge your efforts and share their appreciation for the work you do. So the next time someone says "Thank you," simply smile and respond with an "It was my pleasure!" Thank you for all the work you do to further His Kingdom. 

Andrea Trudden