“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

The day had been pre-planned, marked down in my calendar and I was prepared. But then last night I received a cancellation notice! Looking back, the event wasn’t one that was going to be exciting or fun and joy. In fact, it wasn’t going to be about or for me at all. I was asked to give and pass on something I already had! I made contingency plans.

I have a dear friend, and if you are a regular at our Church, so do you! Howie has been coming down to Florida from Connecticut, as a snowbird, for decades. We all look forward to seeing him, AND Shirley his wife, when they do! Howie informed me a couple weeks ago that today, he will be going in for heart surgery. I was honored when he asked me to join his wife in the waiting room to help her through the waiting ordeal. But due to fear over Covid, no visitors are allowed. Enter plan ‘B!’

The verse today just seemed to pop out at me, and it took some prayerful guidance from God to get His point! Howie, and ALL Believers, HAVE BEEN GIVEN an “eternal encouragement and good hope.” Because of that gift, none of us need worry about where we will spend eternity. We already know and look forward to the transition. BUT….What about NOW??!

Today I am asking you to join in prayer for Howie and Shirley that they will receive, RIGHT NOW, courage and strength for what lies ahead in the IMMEDIATE future called ‘TODAY.’ Most of you know what they are feeling because you have been there yourself, in one way or another. It is our blessing to pass on hope and encouragement, so that THEY will then pass them on to others through ‘their’ words and actions!

It is impossible to give what you don’t have! It becomes eternally criminal when one passes…on what was passed on… so that they might pass it on! Howie has always been a giver. Today is a day he needs to receive. Thank you or your prayers and encouragement and hope.

There’s a name for this kind of thing! It’s called ‘Church!’