Encourage one another

Almost 10 years ago, a seed was planted that we never dreamed would blossom into the friendship we have today. I was walking around my classroom checking student work, when I spotted the book “Redeeming Love” by Francine Rivers on the desk of one of my students. I mentioned how much I love that book. It is one of my favorites. My student went home after school that day and told her mom that she thought her Spanish teacher was a Christian. Her mom contacted me, and we met so that she could share the work she does for a non-profit that ministers to pregnant teens and teen moms. 

The morning after we met, a young lady ran past my classroom and started vomiting in the trashcan in the hall. I went to check on her. She looked at me with huge tears in her eyes as she said, “I think I”m pregnant.” God’s timing is always perfect. 

Over the next several years, this acquaintance and I had contact here and there. And then a couple of years ago, one of us said, “Let’s go have coffee.” I’ll be honest, I don’t remember who, but it was probably her.

I was reminded of all of this yesterday after we sat at a local coffee place for nearly two hours. Talking, laughing, eyes filling with tears over some of the struggles and difficulties in life.

I couldn’t help but think how God uses such simple situations to put people in our lives. An innocent comment about one of my favorite books led to a friendship that fuels me when my tank is running low.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 

Here is what is unique about our friendship – our children are not the same age, we do not work for the same company, we do not attend the same church, we do not even live in the same town. We would never cross paths if we weren’t intentional about it.

The first time we met for coffee, we chatted for a bit and then she said, “How can I pray for you?” I shared a couple of things and asked her the same question. She told me. Then she grabbed my hands and took us both to the throne of Heaven where she beautifully talked to God about those prayer needs. I left that coffee shop with fewer burdens than when I arrived. No, I didn’t have all the answers yet; however, I knew that God was hearing our pleas.

Yesterday was no different. My sweet friend was swamped at work, yet she carved out two hours to chat and pray with me. There is a reason God tells us to encourage one another.

We live in such a fast-paced society and time is a precious commodity. I am so grateful for the gift of time. Time is something that once it is used, is lost forever. We can’t make more. So we must be intentional in using the moments we have.

Encouraging someone comes in so many forms and it doesn’t take hours – oh it can and it is wonderful when we can spend time face-to-face! That isn’t always an option. When was the last time someone crossed your mind? There was a reason. Did you reach out to encourage the person?

I know many amazing women who are walking some difficult paths: child loss, caring for an elderly parent or a child with special needs, going through marital challenges, worrying over a child who isn’t making the best of choices. When God brings those people to mind, it is a great opportunity to reach out. Technology is such a gift! A simple text will do the job. If you don’t know what to say, find a meme that gets across the message in your heart. 

If you want to do more and aren’t sure what will help, think back to a difficult time in your life. What would have lifted your load? Remember when your babies were little, what would you have loved for someone to do for you? Call a new mom and offer. If you know someone who can’t get out of the house much due to caring for someone else, call on your way to the grocery store and ask what you can pick up for them and drop off on your way home.

If you are the person walking through the difficulty right now and someone calls and wants to do something for you, LET THEM!! It doesn’t make you weak or incapable of doing things for yourself. It is an opportunity for both of you to be blessed.

Life is hard! We can help each other in so many ways and make the load a little lighter this side of Heaven. God didn’t tell us to encourage one another just to give us something else that we need to check off our daily to do list. He said it because He knew what a blessing it would be both for the one giving and the one receiving.