Dear Friends,
Yesterday was one of those
blue days that we all experience at times in our lives. Yes, even preachers get
them!
I watched a wonderful
documentary about Bart Starr, the legendary Hall of Fame quarterback for the
Green Bay Packers. His life of faith was significant to me, for he was one of
the men who spoke at a National Fellowship of Christian Athlete's Conference in
Lake Geneva Wisc. where in 1962 I surrendered my life to Jesus. God used his
testimony to help open my heart to Jesus.
I am not sure why I
cried throughout the story, but perhaps they were tears of gratitude as I was
reminded of the wonderful repercussions that decision had made in my life.
And then shortly after
watching the story of Bart Starr, I began thinking of the empty chair I'll face
this Christmas. and the thought of Jean's loss was once again trying to cripple
me. I was suddenly a mess.
And then my mind
turned to some of the wonderful friends I have known who have blessed and
touched my life and who are no longer with us, and those, who are still living,
but who are facing life threatening illnesses, and it was just too much for my
heart to handle.
What I had hoped would
be a productive day now had the makings of a wasted day.
I sat there in my
reading chair, trying to figure out why I had allowed my emotions to subdue me.
Sad and feeling alone, I couldn't begin to think of doing anything that was
even slightly constructive.
And then out of the
blue it happened. It was a phone call from a good friend who wanted to thank me
for something that I had written to her. And shortly after that when I checked
my e-mail, to discover an expression of gratitude from another friend who
wanted me to know how much he appreciated me and my ministry.
And then, when I
finally decided it was time to open up my bible, I noted the inscription from
my friend, Scott Harrigan, who presented that bible to me on Christmas
day of1993.
On the first page I
read these handwritten words from Scott-a quote from author J. I. Packer, who
wrote the classic Knowing God, a book that had impacted my life many
years ago.
"There is
unspeakable comfort- the sort of comfort that energizes, be it said, not
enervates- in knowing that God is constantly taking knowledge of me in love and
watching over me for my good."
And underneath my
friend had written the words of Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I
have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to
harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Wow! God is so good,
and He is so timely to provide just what we need at just the right time.
So, thanks Scott and
Teddie and Rick, and Bart and the countless others whose words of encouragement
have impacted my life, and who know that just because one is a pastor, he is
not exempt from those "singing the blues." kind of days.
The Apostle Paul
exhorts us "to encourage one another," and every one of us could use
a little encouragement these days.
And Solomon reminds us
that "Pleasant words are a honeycomb. sweet to the soul and healing to the
bones" (Proverbs 16:25).
Mother Teresa was fond
of saying "Kind words are short and easy to speak but their echoes are
endless."
How grateful I am for
those echoes that God sends and which come at just the right time to renew and
restore our spiritual strength.
Maybe God has put
someone on your mind today who needs a little 'cheerleading.' Why not take a
moment to pick up the phone and let them know how much you love and appreciate
them. Or maybe you could drop a personal note in the mail reminding them of how
much they have meant to you.
Who knows but what
your words might change the tune of the one who is "singing the
blues." to the words of "O Happy Day."
Yours in faith and
friendship,
Tom
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