Our Source Of Strength
“Happy are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion…As they go through the valley of Baca they make it a place of springs;…they go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion.”
(Psalm 84:5 – 7)
When my friend Ed reached retirement, he figured he deserved a rest. He had worked many years in management in an engineering firm. As a devout Christian, he had served the church in many capacities: Sunday School teacher, board chairman, elder, usher,… “Let the younger folks do it now,” he said to himself.
But after standing on the sidelines for a while, it seemed to him that he was still needed. “I saw brave men and women fighting in the arena of life and I couldn’t just sit in the bleachers and watch. I’d traveled the highways of God for many years. I knew the pitfalls and the difficulties. I wanted to come alongside others and cheer them on in their journey.”
And he did.? Whenever he sensed a need, he wrote an encouraging note, often including a comforting Scripture or a page from The Daily Bread or some other devotional writing. I received many such notes in my mailbox. He would also drop by the house for a moment of prayer and a warm invitation to “Come and see my wife and me whenever you need to talk.”
So, when my world was falling apart, it was to Ed and Violet’s house I went. I knew they would welcome me with a cup of tea and an hour’s worth of empathetic listening. After inviting me into the living room, he’d position himself so as to hear me better. They’d listen intently without interruption. Then he would say, “Now, let’s take it to the Father.” He’d pray with such sincerity and quiet confidence, that when I left their house I would feel affirmed, valued, shored up like I’d received an infusion of strength.
After Ed’s death at eighty -something, I learned how far – reaching his ministry of encouragement had been. My friend had written thousands of encouraging notes, averaging about three a day. Moreover, his prayers had comforted many people.
Are you in a valley of Baca right now? A valley of infirmity? Do you feel like your usefulness is over? Ask God to show you how you can make it a place of springs. Others will be blessed and you will be refreshed.
~Dear God, thank you that our strength depends on your strength and not on age or abilities.
Related Links:
19 Ways to Encourage Others:
http://www.retirementwithapurpose.com/sw19encourage.html
About the Author
This article was written by Helen Lescheid. You can read more about this author by clicking this link:
http://www.talk.thelife.com/helen-lescheid/
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