Brad spoke this past Sunday about being refreshed, and he challenged us to examine how we personally refresh and how we might refresh someone else. His point on demonstrating care caught my attention. As I’ve spoken with Pathway Kids leaders and families in recent months, the stories I hear most often revolve around someone showing care during these unusual times…teachers reaching out to each student individually, grocery shopping for someone at risk, a kind word while waiting in a checkout line or an encouraging text. Kindness, thankfulness, and encouragement are ways to express care.
In 1 Thessalonians, Paul starts his letter with encouragement and thanks for the members of the church of Thessalonica. He recognized the importance of care through encouragement and thankfulness. As he concludes, he directs the people: “So encourage one another with the hope you have. Build each other up. In fact, that’s what you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Encouragement is such a powerful expression of care for one another. Personally, I find that when I focus on encouraging and caring for others, my perspective changes about my own concerns. I can be truly refreshed when expressing care for others. Even small gestures can mean so much!
Would you like an opportunity to encourage one another? Are you available to serve for our Summer Experience in July? One of the ways to serve and care for others is by writing notes to the families who have registered. Our desire is for each family to receive a handwritten note thanking them for registering and personally promising to pray for them during the week. On the registration form, families are asked what their biggest challenge is right now. We have the privilege to care for each family in a unique way by praying for them in that challenge and encouraging them as they participate in Summer Experience as a family. Our leadership team would love for every family to be encouraged and cared for that week through the simple gesture of handwritten notes. All supplies, including postage, will be provided. If you are interested in serving, please sign up at coolspring.org/summerexperience. Click on volunteers to see what opportunities are available!
Thank you for caring through encouragement!
Blessings,
Brenda Kidd
