ForgottenWoman

The Gift of Encouragment

Just before Christmas a friend of my family passed away after an infection that he just couldn’t recover from. In the few weeks that have come and gone since his passing, my mind has often rehearsed who he was and what he meant in our lives. 

He was an active member of our church, that face and voice you could count on to be present unless he was ill. He joined our family for holiday functions when his family was not around and we each had our own version of a relationship with him.

Since his passing I’ve been reminded repeatedly of how he intentionally sought to encourage – when our church group went out to dinner together, he seemed to always find a way to secretly pay for mine and often others. He would randomly send an email or text containing an encouraging note or song. Often he would hand myself or someone else in the family a gift – something he saw that made him think of us or pray for us. He constantly asked about my little Tranquility shop and sent meaningful gifts for there as well. 

When I started my blog site last summer, he was the first to subscribe and wasn’t satisfied to give just $5 a month – he faithfully gave $25 a month until his death – and shared the site with others; always sending me responses after reading. 

Our friend suffered a lot of loss in his life; dealt with lonliness and sorrow over lost relationships and the decline of his health – but he found a way to reach up and out and be an encouragement to others through some of his deepest pain. I want to remember Steve and honor him today with these few words. In doing so, maybe others will be encouraged to realize that each of us has the ability to reach into the lives of others; regardless of our circumstances, if we choose to do so.