Thank You

I don't usually talk about religion here because, well, its my thing.

But today in church, I heard the most beautiful Thank You I've ever encountered.

We've only been going to this church for a few weeks and we don't know anyone really.
This morning the priest invited up a man to the podium, whom he introduced as simply saying Mr. L, who you may or may not know wants to say thank you.

As the older man struggled to get to the podium, the congregation got really quiet. He started by talking about his struggle with lung cancer, how he kept working (at his local grocery store he started, ran and owned), how he asked to priest to anoint him and how he asked the church to pray for him. Telling jokes along the way, making the congregation laugh and cry together.

And he tells us that the cancer is gone. He recently found out. And he wanted a way to thank us for praying for him. So, he invited his daughter up to the podium. He goes, "And this is my Thank You." He opens his mouth and starts singing, "Thank you Lord," in a voice that just sent chills down my back. He and his daughter go on to sing and the congregation rises in a standing ovation.

I wish I could express the emotion that I felt in that moment. He wanted to thank people for praying for him.

It was the most perfect thank you.