Therefore encourage one another
and build each other up
as you are already doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
The following are short excerpts from four of my books.
In each situation, a life was impacted because of the connection.
In the spring of 1977, a rusty, lime-green, 1950 Chevy slowly crept up the driveway of the Gary and Cheryl Pearson farmstead. An older fellow stepped unsteadily from the car.
"Is this David?" he asked.
Gary Pearson studied the man. Definitely not from around here. A string bean of a man, weak, and pallid. The stranger wore clothes that were clean, but he appeared uncomfortable inside them.
Gary nodded and said not a word.
******
I first saw Star when working at the Red Owl--my first job. ...."Dark meat and lots of gravy. It's what I want and lots of gravy. Keeps my joints lose," he almost shouted like he wanted everyone to know he was there ordering his chicken. A person couldn't miss him if a person wanted to. Star always wore the same thing: black cowboy boots, tight black jeans, a black shirt with pearl buttons and a black cowboy hat. Someone asked him once if he had any other clothes. He studied them a bit and grinned. "Looks good on me, right? If it ain't broke, don't fix it." ... I would not have paid much attention to Star. I guess you could say he started it. He started asking for me to get his chicken dinners. Like making a request. I couldn't believe my own ears when he first asked for me. "Who's that skinny gal with the long, blonde hair. I'll have her wait on me today."
********
When I first saw him at my graduation reception, I was smitten. I can't think of a better word. I turned around after hugging my parents and there he was. Staring at me. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and wore a dark uniform. He was studying me, and I had to look away.
As I felt my face grow warm, Margo touched my arm and said, "Karen, meet Martin."
... his eyes followed me.
And mine were on him.
********
The service opened with the organist playing "Ave Verum," announcements, and the Call to Worship. Other than Pastor Offen and Arnie and Hank who sat next to us, I knew no one. However. when it came to the "sharing of the peace," congregation members were warm and friendly. Some even left their pew areas to greet us and welcome us to their congregation. As the members sang "This Is the Day" and "Thy Word," I looked in the bulletin for the sermon title, "Broken Hearts." My hand started to shake ... .
********
The above are only stories.
However, some believe that life is stranger (or more interesting?) than fiction.
Whatever the case, the world is made up of trillions of unique individuals--all created in His image and members of His body.
1 Corinthians 12:14-27 reads--
Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot would say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear would say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body.... But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose... . If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need for you." On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable... . If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. Now you are all the body of Christ and individual members of it.
...consider this when you meet someone today and this week...
and reflect the love He gave you.
A single word or phrase, spoken kindly,
may turn one away from error
or cause one to feel loved and cared for....
for a precious moment
or for a lifetime... .
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