Thanks for the Encouragement

I suppose this column and my blogspot are really for me to wax philosophical. I am not sure I am much of a philosopher. Besides, the only one I remember was Socrates and didn’t he drink poison? Ugh! Not my cup of tea, please. Well, I will try.

Over the past few weeks, I have been encouraged by your faithfulness. We have been urging people to step forward in faith financially and with their time and wow, it has been happening. I see that as God moving in our midst. But mainly, I see God moving in our midst when I see your concern for others. I see God moving in our midst when I hear you joyfully singing on Sunday morning or on Tuesday night. I see God moving in our midst when you let me help you struggle with the stuff of life.

So thanks. Thanks for being who you are. On my birthday, last year, I received a card from someone and the card said, “I thank God for the Day you were Born.” And it wasn’t from my mother either. Wow that card made me feel good. I want to pass that along to you.

I thank God for the day that you were born. You have made my life richer and fuller. I am a better person for knowing you. Now I want to ask you to do something today. After you read this article, find someone who needs a bit of encouragement and let them know you are glad that they were born and it doesn’t even have to be their birthday.

You have been an encouragement to me and I know that together, we can be a force of encouragement and hope for others this year. Remember, invite a friend to church and bring some food for the poor. But most of all, come to church and expect great things because God is going to be with us. Allen