I received an unexpected note this past week from my friend Kevin. We served together on the men’s ministry team at our church where I have taught a 24-week class on God’s call for a man, what it means to become a godly man, and what it means to be a husband and father.
His note was simple and kind. In it he mentioned that he knew this Father’s Day would be difficult for me, not because it’s my first as a father but because it’s my first without my father.
Many of you know I lost both my mom and dad around this time last year within 8 weeks of each other. That was hard. And throughout this past year, the journey of grief has had it’s ups and downs to be sure.
But while I appreciated what Kevin wrote, what I found most encouraging about his note was that he remembered. Not only did he remember, but with everything going on in his busy world, he took the time to write a brief note to encourage me by his words and prayers on my behalf.
Let me tell you, that stuff matters. Thanks, Kevin. I needed that reminder too.
The challenging question for me (and you too) is this: Will we take the time to remember and then move? By doing so, we can become the voice of God as we encourage others along the way in their journey through life’s struggles.
If we put this into regular practice, just imagine what kind of an encouraging community we could become. We might even begin an epidemic of encouragement!
So how about it? Do you have a “Kevin” in your life who has encouraged you? Share your story here with all of us so we can be encouraged and inspired together. Let’s see what God can do in and through us when we remember and move.
I was really touched by the above. I became a new born christian in april this year.Before that i was a catholic but not practicing. Before April, i was going thru bad times with my son, i was even becoming depressed with all the problems he gave me, then a friend of mine told me to talk to a pastor, i met him, i talked to him about all the trouble that i had with my son. One thing he told me, God is great and i should not fear him and to trust him and that God will help me. He asked me one question, whether im willing to be re-born spiritually, i was a bit confused and not knowing exactly what it was but i did not hesitate for one second, I said yes, from that day, im so happy to be a christian. And you know that… My pastor’s name is Kevin.
This is precious reading for me.
On the day of memories of a son a young lady phoned us to say that although she couldn’t call in she was thinking of him and the family. That mattered and helped to know he was not forgotten by those he had known.
A Pastor once told of when he was going through a difficult time. The phone rang and an elder in the church simply asked ” Pastor can I help? ” The pastor told how much that meant to him and how it so encouraged.
Helps undergird in time of storm and they are very welcome support.
Corinne, I knew there were more “Kevin” stories out there. Thanks for sharing. Hey, now it’s your turn to return the encouragement. Take the time to let your pastor know how much he has encouraged you. Drop him a note, an email, a voice mail, or link him to this blog. Or better yet, let him know face to face how he’s encouraged you. Pastor’s especially need that. That will do his heart good and your’s too.
Thank you Keving for the emcouragement to keep going, to go back and say thank you to someone and add what helped.
If you called at my home you would find a very untidy dining table, pan, paper envelopes, the person phone book, atricles and soft back books lying next to wrapping paper and selotape. The table was polished though.
I’d rather it was cluttered this way than fret that it might look untidy if a friend called! We all do need to be encouraged.
” Return and give thanks” is the title of the untidy table…. and well worth the clutter today