I sign lots of documents on behalf of Passport, Inc. – most are checks, contracts, and legal documents. But in December, I sign thank you notes, lots of thank you notes.

This month I will sign over 1,000 notes, if we’re counting.

Some years, I dread it. They stack up on my desk like the leaves in my yard, waiting for me to rake them into a pile. But this year, at the encouragement of my colleague Lindsay Morton, I’m going to make signing my pile of thank you notes an act of prayer. As I sign each note, I will pause to say a prayer over that family. A prayer of thanks and support. A prayer for Gospel transformation. A prayer for the year ahead.

My grandfather, Rev. David Milligan, had the most beautiful, perfect penmanship. I’m left-handed and often smear the ink pushing from left to right, dragging my hand over words already written. I never learned how to write proper cursive in school and find myself now in my 50s trying to learn the art of cursive, partly to honor my grandfather. Though far from perfect, focusing on my form causes me to slow down and really think about each word. I am hoping that by adding a prayerful spirit to the discipline it will help not only foster a greater sense of gratitude, but help me be more intentional in all aspects this season.

I am truly humbled to get to work for an organization that has earned a sound reputation so that individuals, churches, foundations, and even denominations feel comfortable sending us a gift of support. When these gifts come, we tend them wisely – stretching them far and wide.

To those who have supported us this past year – thank you. And know that someone is praying for you over the next few weeks.

Rev. David Burroughs

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David Burroughs

David Burroughs is the president & founder of Passport, Inc.