Thankful Encouragement

As I was reading the Scriptures this morning I decided to check the translation in the Bible my parents had given for my 16th birthday--the one I had used for 14 years until my husband gave me a new one on my 30th birthday. It was the Bible used during the my earliest growth as a believer, through college, marriage, the birth of my first child...

Before I went to look up the passage I found a few items tucked away that were a blessing to me...notes scribbled in the margins, verses underlined, a note from my husband when we were just friends not quite dating.

One was a note from a woman thanking me for an article I wrote back in 2003 to women encouraging them to be examples of dressing modestly for the teens after spending a week at Harvey Cedars as a counselor with the Sr. High Youth. She encouraged me to keep addressing difficult issues...

I need to keep doing that...

Another lovely note came from a dear saint in the church expressing her joy that I was leading the Women's Ministries in the church, affirming my leadership and acknowledging the great responsibility it would be. She ended by saying "Just know, that I, as an older woman, am here for you--to come alongside you in prayer to be an encourager, to lend a listening ear--whenever there is a need that I could fill, call me!"

It's time to give her a call...

The verse I was looking for before I found those treasured encourgements was

" Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:15

I'm thankful for many things but this morning I'm thankful for God reminding me through these notes from Judy and Lucille of how the body can encourage one another and work together.