Clay in the Hands

This week I had the joy of attending our Texas Baptist state convention.  It is always like a family reunion.  I get to see colleagues and partners in ministry.  It reminds me that we are all part of a bigger movement than just one church.  On Monday morning, I ran into a friend I had not seen in a while.  He was a professor I worked for as a graduate assistant many, many years ago.  As we talked, he thanked me for an email I had sent him over a year ago.

The purpose of the email was to tell him how much he means to me and to thank him for the impact he has made in my life.  I remember sending the email but I had to go back and dig up the email to remember what I had said.  In that email I shared with him that I had had lunch with a wonderful man earlier that day who made the statement that he was tired of learning about people at their funerals and we all need to do a better job of appreciating people while they are still with us.  I was so touched by his words that day that I was inspired to reach out to a number of people who have poured into me over the years.

Through reflecting back on all I have just shared, I have renewed a commitment to myself and to the Father to be a better encourager.  I challenge you to do the same today.  Don’t wait until bad health or crisis forces you to share what someone means to you.  Stop what you are doing — right now — and pick up the phone or write an email to someone who needs to hear how you feel.

I have committed to encourage at least 3 people per day.  What would our world look like if we all made the same commitment?

Something to think about.

Be a blessing today!