Unexpected Encouragement

Sometimes I feel out of place in church. I'm not sure why, I just do.
Perhaps it has to do with all of the people. I've mentioned that I'm a bit of an introvert. I'm not really uncomfortable around people. In fact, I'm very comfortable around them and can easily converse and get along well with most people. It's just that I would generally prefer to be alone.

And church is an interesting mix of people. The one thing that we have in common -- worshiping the same God -- is often the only thing we apparently have in common. Truthfully, we might never meet or relate to each other in any way if we had not first met in church.

But we do have much more in common with each other than worshiping the same God. Though we may come from different backgrounds, have different levels of education and different levels of wealth (or poverty), we are still people living in the same community and we all have struggles. Some of us have similar struggles; some are very different -- but we all deal with life.

And, occasionally, we can all use a little encouragement.

Maybe that's why I still feel compelled to go to church. To encourage others and to be encouraged.
Today my encouragement came from one of our high school guys. He sought me out after the service to tell me that the message of my sermon from several weeks ago has really helped him. He said that he often repeats the words to himself throughout the week and they are a part of his devotion time.

It seems a little odd that I have had several adults tell me that they really liked the message that day, and others have asked when I might preach again, but none of those comments have encouraged me the way this young man's did today.
I am always appreciative of the positive comments of others, but there was something special about today.

I am reminded that words have power.
We can be an encouragement to others simply by taking the time to let people know that they have helped and encouraged us.
Is there somebody that you need to thank for something?
Why not just do it?
Go out of your way. Send them a note, an email, a text or go to them and tell them that they have been an encouragement and help to you. I promise you -- it will be an encouragement to them!

John <><