May, 2026 – Edifying, Comforting, and Encouraging
Because of logistics, our families rarely got to see each other, but my mother had a friend who was, indeed, appropriately named Grace. And Grace just loved – loved me as a child, and after my parents ‘passed’, she loved me even more. Her own two daughters told me at one time, that their mother considered herself as having three daughters – her own two biological ‘girls’, and me. I would like to be like Grace . . .
After going through such a painful time and attack at a church where I had been for years, it was time for me to visit a ‘new’ church. The church was full to overflowing and my first time there, ended up sitting beside a precious older lady whose name I can’t even remember. Tears had been streaming down my face since the service began, and when it came to ‘greeting time’, this 5 foot 8 1/2 inch person (me!) stood next to the 5 foot little old lady with the permed white hair – and as I reached out my hand to shake hers, she saw my tears, wrapped her arms around as far up as she could reach on me – my waist – and held onto me asking no questions, just whispering ‘welcome’. I would like to be like ‘whoever this precious woman was’ . . .
There is a unique couple ‘out West’ who love. Who minister. Period. That is the definition of their lives. They care for their neighbors, they minister to the elderly, they take their Christ-like spirits to nursing homes, they kindly and gently share Jesus’ love wherever they are including hospitals and restaurants, to their family, to long-time friendships, even abroad – and, even to me. They pray – over everyone! They live Philippians 2.3 – ‘esteeming/considering others higher than themselves’. I would like to be like Dan and Susan . . .
I loved with ‘agape’ love a pastor who ministered to the homeless and street people in Providence. He treated the ‘guests’ at a rescue mission much as he would treat you and me – with love and dignity. I would watch him interact with druggies, with (seemingly) hopeless alcoholics – and share the love of the Savior with them caring so deeply for their souls. This pastor and I both ministered, separately, to one homeless fellow in particular. We would visit him in the hospital, in a nursing home, wherever it would take us to ‘love on’ and encourage this newly saved former debilitated soul. One day, the pastor got word to me that our ‘brother’ had gone to be with Jesus. I would like to be like Pastor Bill . . .
I know and love a man – a pastor in Romania. The word for pastor in Romanian is ‘shepherd’. One who ministers to their flock’s every need including running interference with them when they need attention at a hospital, or at a school for their child, or in an abusive home situation. His passion drives him daily for those in need – for those to whom the Lord leads him. Sometimes he doesn’t know if he can go on any longer. Enough sleep is rare, energy runs low, but he is true to the saying, “When it is hard, do it anyway”. I would like to be like Ovi . . .
I could actually write a book on this subject – of people from whom I have learned – who have taught me how to edify, comfort, and encourage. More than likely I will continue this subject in the future. But, just for now – and because it is the month of his birthday, I would like to mention one more who taught me to love unconditionally – who taught me to ‘not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing’ (Matthew 6.3) – to serve our Lord in humility/with a humble spirit – to ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength’ – (from Deuteronomy 6:4,5). I would like to be like Daddy . . .
I do want to be like those I’ve mentioned above, but ultimately, I would like to love like Jesus, ‘look’ and think like Him, serve like Him, act and re-act like Him – edify, comfort and encourage others like Him. I would like to be like Jesus . . .