| Romans 1:11-12 – “I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” |
I remember the first time I walked into our local public library. It was a very old building, probably 100 years old, with multiple floors and a circular staircase. Throughout my childhood and teen years, I went there quite often to check out books to read for fun or to research term papers for school. The woodwork was dark and massive, and I was enthralled by the number of books that were stacked to the ceiling, sometimes in little hidden alcoves and covered in dust. Each book I checked out felt like a special gift saved just for me. Whether a Nancy Drew mystery or an Encyclopedia Britannica, each held the promise of a new adventure or world to explore. As a child, my mother took me every two weeks during the summer, and I couldn’t wait for my chance to wander and explore and find new treasures.
Do we feel the same excitement about spending time with our Christian friends, learning from each other and sharing our faith? Do we have words of wisdom and encouragement to offer each other? What gifts do we give? Our time? Our compassion? Our listening ear and caring heart? What words do we offer? Those of some best-selling crime author, or those of the author and finisher of our faith?
Dear Heavenly Father – thank you for friends who are willing to share encouragement and words of wisdom when we need them. Help us to reach out to others and to see times when we need to share our faith. Each of us has times of weakness and times of strength. Help us to be willing to share both. Amen
- Betty Gossell
