Reach Out

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

My friends and I met for an early morning breakfast the other day. We normally walk on Friday mornings but because of the colder temperatures, we haven’t been walking. So, we decided to do another kind of get together. It was a fun treat in the middle of our busy week. We enjoyed catching up and just being together. I loved that we could encourage one another in whatever we had going on that week. That is one of my favorite things about these dear friends.

Our waitress

Our breakfast came and the waitress asked if we needed anything else. We thanked her for our meal. And then my friend said “We are going to pray for our meal. Is there any way can we pray for you today?” The look on the waitress’ face was an absolute relief. She immediately answered yes and launched into a story. Her daughter is in the Army and was going overseas soon. She wasn’t able to be home for Christmas. Though her daughter was excited and loving being in the Army, her Mom was not. She feared for her daughter’s safety but also knew that was where her daughter was supposed to be. After sharing her story, the waitress reached for our hands, and said: “Let’s pray.” My friend led us in a beautiful prayer for the waitress and for her daughter. You could tell it meant a lot to our waitress. As she walked away, I was encouraged and challenged.

The power of prayer

First, I absolutely loved that our waitress reached for our hands. She obviously knew the power of prayer and wanted to be a part of it. Our waitress knew that God could calm all her fears and keep her daughter safe. There is something about joining hands in prayer in agreement that puts a big smile on God’s face.

The hope of Jesus

Secondly, I was challenged from that time of prayer. How often do I get so caught up in my own life that I miss the chance to encourage someone else? There are so many hurting people in this world that need the hope of Jesus. There are many believers who need a boost of encouragement because they are struggling with something. I desire to be more alert to those around me. I long to look outside myself and reach out to others.

How about you? Who can you reach out to today? It could be your waitress at a restaurant or the cashier at the grocery store. Or it could be the receptionist at your doctor’s office that has had a very long day. Will you join me in reaching out to others to share the hope and love of Jesus?

Heavenly Father, please help me to be more aware of those who need You. Help me to reach out by asking about their day and praying for them. Please show me ways I can encourage and build others up. In Jesus name, Amen.