An Inkling
“Uh oh.” That’s the first thought that comes to mind when I arrive at my office in the morning and find the red message light blinking on my phone. A need of sufficient urgency prompted an overnight call – is someone in the hospital? Does someone have a family emergency? Or is this a message about some fault in the church program or schedule or pastor (pick one or more!)? Such are my “Uh oh” thoughts as I punch the message button and listen.But this morning the message was from a friend with a passion for encouragement. He has found a creative way to encourage by calling long before anyone is in the office, and leaving a message with a kind word, a scripture, and an assurance of prayer support. Such a simple thing, but what a big lift!
My friend has a special zeal for encouraging pastors, and I’m just one of several that he blesses with these out of the blue encouragements. But obviously it need not just be pastors. Everyone benefits from a kind word.
Who might benefit from a word of encouragement from you? And how can you engage your creativity to make it a happy surprise? The surprise multiplies the effect – kind of like giving flowers on a random day. In contrast to the “Practice Acts of Random Kindness” bumper stickers, for those of us who serve Jesus, it’s anything but random. It’s who we are in him.
You’ve got a message…
Keith
