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By Helen Lescheid
Scripture: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Mr. Turner was a retired engineer. As a younger man, he’d been very involved in the church. But when he turned 70 he said, “I’ve had my turn. Let the young people do it now.”
But as he watched them struggle, he thought, I could be encouraging the young people. I could be cheering them on.
Mr. Turner got back into the arena. He began to write letters of encouragement to younger people and put them into their mailboxes at church. I received many such notes when I was going through a very difficult time in my life. Often to his handwritten scrawl, he’d add a Scripture or an invitation: “If ever you need to talk, Mrs. Turner and I are here for you.”
I was always welcome in their home. Mrs. Turner would serve me a cup of tea and a cookie. Mr. Turner would position himself so he could hear me better. I knew I had exactly one hour in which to update them. Then he’d say, “We’ve heard enough now. Let’s take it to the Father.” Such a beautiful prayer followed that I’d feel affirmed. My faith in God’s goodness and loving control revived. I’d leave their place with a lighter heart.
How can you make a difference in someone’s life today? Whom can you encourage? What can you do to make someone’s life a little easier? Could you invite someone for tea? Write a letter? Babysit a mother’s children so she can get a break?
Prayer: Dear God, thank You for the Holy Spirit who’s our Encourager and Comforter. I want to follow His leading today to encourage others along the way.
Questions to Ponder and Discuss: What encourages you? How can you make a difference in someone’s life today?
Today’s Chat: Join us for a 15-minute chat about this devotional at 10:30 am Eastern, 7:30 am Pacific: http://www.christianwomentoday.com/chat/
Related Reading: Retirement Without Trauma: http://retirementwithapurpose.com/opportunity/mlretirenotrauma.html
About the Author: http://talk.thelife.com/authors/helen-lescheid/
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This is one of my daily prayers,,,that i would make a difference in someone’s life every day! I may not be equipped or able to do “big and great’ things,,but even a word of encouragement or a listening ear can be of tremendous help to someone..so if one can do this one “little” thing with God’s help and guidance, then someone in need will benefit.Jesus said do it unto the least of these…Praise be to God and blessings to all of you..
dee
What an inspiration for those of us who are more “mature” to continue leading by using our experiences in helping those around us with God’s help. I had a mentor from grade school who followed me throughout my school career and when I was teaching. I thought so much of her. I always kept her aware of where I was and what I was doing.
Thank you for this reminder of what I can do to walk with the Lord at this time of my life.
Annie
This really hits home today. I have just finished a week of calling… asking for volunteers to help with a ministry at church. I prayed earnestly that God would reveal to me the people we need on the commitee. Still there were sooooooo many NO’s. However, the Lord has been dealing with me to be patient, and I sense He wants to show me perservance pays off. I now have the people I need, and plan to write an encouraging note to those that said yes. Also the Lord has given me the gift of encouragement, and is constantly using me to encourage young couples in our church as I care for their children in the nursery. What a priviledge! Thank you LORD!!
This devotionoal has hit the nail on the head for me. I have a friend who, when he was younger had a lot of problems with his parish preist and no longer is willing to go to church. I have known him only 4 years but in the last year I have been calling him twice daily and when we talk in the evenings he’ll tell me all kinds of stories of when he was growing up, or in the Irish army, or about different things that has gone on in his life. when he is done he’ll say something like “now that I’ve bored you to death” or “well thats enough of my boring life” I do enjoy listening to him and his stories.
I grew up in such a different way then he did(even though we both grew up in the Cathalic church). Our back grounds are so different but I truely feel the LORD has brought us together to help each other with our different problems.
I am trying to make sure he’s not alone on the major holidays like Christmas and Easter. I ask him a few months in advance and get the usual I’ll think about it. Then as the holiday gets closer like right now with Easter, I’ve already gotten what I plan for supper the special day and i will tell him that there is no “i’ll think about it” he is coming since all that food is to much for me alone. And I really want his company fot the afternoon and evening. I become more insenet that he’s coming.
I will leave him messages throu the day if there is something I see that i want him to look at the next time he’s in that area. Or I find an ecard that i like and will email it to him. its thing like this that has helped me in encourging others. It may be only one person at a time but I feel So good doing it and knowing there is someone who will listen and encourge me as well