Encouraging One Another

"Encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."  (Hebrews 10:25b ESV)


Al and I, along with several other couples from our Life Group, took a little trip up to southeastern Kentucky last week.  We went to Lynch, Kentucky, to be specific.

I know, you've never heard of Lynch. It's right down the road from Benham.  But you probably haven't heard of that either. 

Lynch is in extreme southeast Kentucky, in the mountains, in coal mine country.  But the mine in Lynch is now closed, since the government and the environmentalists have become very anti-coal in recent years.   That means that unemployment is very high in Lynch, Kentucky, and in other places like it.

There are several missionaries and mission organizations who have located themselves in Lynch, to provide clothing and food and employment in that area.  To be the hands and feet that bring Jesus to a forgotten corner of our country.

Our group went to Lynch to install a heat pump in a mission house, an old duplex that is being renovated to house teams who come to Lynch to assist the missionaries.  That's what the guys did.  The women were along to support.  To run errands.  To bring the guys their lunch.  To help out at the Freedom Center, sorting and organizing coats that have been donated to the ministry. To encourage.

So, I spent the weekend on a mission trip.  I didn't feel like I was doing that much, but what a blessing it was to be a small part of a small effort to encourage and come alongside those who are the hands and feet of Jesus in that community day after day.

It isn't necessary to go all the way to Kentucky to be an encourager.  There are people in each of our communities who need encouraging.  We can encourage our family members.  And our neighbors.  And our pastor.  And the stranger in the grocery store.

Installing a heat pump. Sorting coats in a mission center.  These are not the only ways to encourage.  You could write a note.  Make a phone call.  Send a Facebook message.  Bake some cookies. 

Sometimes all it takes is a smile.

Who are you encouraging today?

"Therefore, encourage one another......."  (1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV)