More from Linawati Santoso

Thank You, God

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. — Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

I thank God for the opportunity to join kids’ ministry. Now once a month I handle this ministry with two partners. I have learned many things from children. I would like to share two with you. 

One was about honesty. Children usually didn’t lie. They loved to speak the truth. I remember one day I lazily colored a picture. The result was bad. But I said to a child, “See how beautiful my picture is!” She answered, “No, Sister, that is very bad,” and I laughed. 

The second was about forgiveness. Children usually easily forgive and forget their friends’ mistakes. I remember the other day we played a game together. Suddenly a little girl cried out, “Aww!” Apparently her friend had accidentally stepped on her foot. “Please say sorry,” I said to her. A moment later, the girl was back playing with her friends, including the one who had stepped on her foot. It seemed she had already forgotten her friend’s mistake.

Serving God is beautiful. We are joyful as we serving God. Today you may have a desire to minister for God in one area, but perhaps you have no experience or are confused about how to do it. Instead of forgetting the desire, I encourage you to do it with your partners in Christ. Let us “never be lacking in zeal, but keep [our] spiritual fervor, serving the Lord” (Rom. 12:11).

In this moment I would also like to share one other sweet experience with you. One of my devotions was also published in The Upper Room on 24 July 2025. The title was “God Will Provide.” After that, I received an Instagram message from a reader. He thanked me for my devotion and then asked my permission to send small donation to continue my good work. “Yes, Sir,” I answered. Two days later, I received the money. He said it was a small amount, but for me it was big. “Praise God!” I said in my heart, full of joy. I shared the money with my father and mother, and I could see their joyful faces. I also brought some to church as a thanks offering to God.

How many blessings God has pouring out on my life! Now all I want to say is, “Thank you, God.” I trust God has blessed your life too. So let us say together, “Thank you, God.”