This week I saw a video that made me cry. That’s right, a few actual tears ran down my face. It’s a video of teachers saying “thanks” to certain students for making them want to get up and go to work in the morning. I’d love for you to watch that video, but make sure you have a couple of tissues ready. You can watch it here. Go ahead. Go watch it. I’ll be waiting right here when you come back.

Did you cry? As I finished watching that video I was wondering why a video of teachers saying thanks to students brought such emotion to the surface. Here’s what I came up with:

1. I was once a student and would have loved to have a teacher say thanks to me. Just a small, positive comment on my report card meant more than my teacher would ever know.
2. These students are at risk students. That reminded me of many of the students we used to serve at our church’s school in Milwaukee. They were great kids. Many of them were friends of our children. They came from difficult home settings. Yet their potential was nearly unlimited. It was so much fun to see them accomplish things they never thought they could. It was fun and fulfilling to encourage them.
3. I was a college professor for 13 years. Every time I taught a class there were students that I should have, could have, and sometimes actually did thank for being such an inspiration to me. I am still in contact with a couple of them and am always so excited to see where their lives are leading them.
4. The tides were turned. Usually it’s students thanking and honoring students. This time it was the other way around. The teachers were just as emotional as the kids. They really care for them.

My father, wife, and some very good friends are teachers. I know what it takes to be a teacher. Students that inspire you to get up and go to work in the morning are a blessing beyond words.

An unexpected word of thanks is a gift given to the recipient. 

With whom can you share such a word today?