“ 1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭11‬-‭14‬ ‭ Encourage one another, and build each other up, even as also ye do. But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be longsuffering toward all.”

I have just received two notes that made my day.  We all at times wonder about whether our lives have real purpose.  We try to follow God and do the right things but sometimes we just wonder.  At just the right time these two notes came to me from students who were in the youth group when I first started my ministry.  Often I look back on my early days in ministry and cringe at how little I knew.  We all need to hears words of encouragement and God has made us that way.  But, I think where we maybe fall short is the importance of giving encouragement.  We don’t have the right words, don’t want to sound like a dork, or some other reason.  I encourage you to think about people who have meant something to you and to send them a quick note of thanks and encouragement.  I know that you will bless them but you will be blessed also.  Oh, by the way, here are the two notes I just received.  The names are left off, but my heart swelled when I received them.  

“Today at church the closing song was There is a Redeemer by K. Green. It will forever take me back to slide songs at youth group worship. When I got home I listened to Asleep in the Light, Your Love Broke Through and several others on Spotify. I will forever be grateful for the many ways you led us to Jesus during those early years. Most of everything I believe and am can be traced back to those years.”

“Pat…Just thinking of Memories of First Methodist Lawton. Those memories are near and dear to my heart and were great life experiences!! Pat you were instrumental and I believed in us, and our sons were being taught the truth about Our God.. so thank you!!”