Every Day Acknowledgements

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By Sara Ella

I’ve been thinking about acknowledgements lately. My debut novel is with my editor as I write this, so I’ve been working on that little section the goes at the back of the book. You know, the one that’s supposed to be short and sweet. The one in which I am expected to fit all my thank yous. The one that is currently ten pages long.

How do I edit something that could be its own novella? I want everyone who had a hand in helping or encouraging me to know they made a difference. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I’m constantly reminded of who I’m forgetting. In fact, I have a Word document open on my laptop so I can add people to the acknowledgements as I think of them.

And ten pages just became eleven.

The truth is, I’ll never remember everyone I need to thank. There are just too many. Like the lady at the supermarket who smiled sympathetically as my toddler screamed in the checkout line. Her smile gave me the strength I needed to go home and finish a chapter. Or what about the girl who emailed me last week saying she couldn’t wait to read my book? These are people who should know the joy they brought to my day.

So why not tell them?

It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the act of thanking others. I am obsessed with fancy, handwritten thank you notes. I feel like I’ve been writing the acknowledgements for my debut novel for the past two years. Sometimes I’m so focused on the future act of thanking people that I forget to thank them now.

Today.

To thank my husband for fixing our daughter’s bike even after an exhausting day at work.

To thank my friend for taking my kids for an hour so I could get some writing done.

To thank my mother-in-law for inviting us to dinner so I didn’t have to cook.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Two simple words that don’t need flourishes or fountain pens. Two words I don’t say often enough to the people around me every day, and most importantly, to my Creator.

“Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.” Psalm 145:2

Life is busy, and since receiving my first contract, it’s been even busier. But the one thing I need to make time for every day is acknowledgements. Yes, the published acknowledgements are important, but not as much as the ones I give in those small, daily moments. In my quiet time with Him when I can show my gratitude for the rarity of quiet time itself. If I’ve learned anything recently it’s to appreciate the present. So thank YOU for reading this blog post. I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Is there someone you can thank today for how they’ve blessed you? There’s no time like the present.

Sara EllaSara Ella believes “Happily Ever After is Never Far Away” for those who put their faith in the King of kings. Her debut novel releases from Thomas Nelson/ HarperCollins in 2016. You can connect with her on Twitter @SaraEllaWrites or on YouTube.com/c/saraella.

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