Words for Me

"Therefore encourage one another

and build each other up..." 1Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

"Are you a praying grandmother?" asked the young woman. Her name was Alicia.

"Yes," I replied.

"I just wanted to encourage you." She explained that after God heard her grandmother's prayers, God answered, rescuing the girl from danger and destruction.

I thanked and hugged her. Her sweet words brought tears to my eyes.

And then,  she said it again... "I just wanted to encourage you."

As I drove home from the meeting, the impact of Alicia's words hit me.

"I just wanted to encourage...you." 

Alicia's words were for me. Not a generality. Not for the masses. They were personal. Specific words spoken at a specific time to a specific person. Me.

"Encourage" means to help, comfort, strengthen by consolation, to call for someone for aid, to exhort, to admonish.

While praying 1 Thessalonians 5:11 for our descendants, somebody's granddaughter encouraged me.

Allow these words to comfort and strengthen you today...God hears your voice (Psalm 6:9; 18: 6; 34: 6; 116: 1). And not only does God hear, God turns (bends down) His ear to us, and saves (Psalm 116). The psalmist responded with praise, thanksgiving, and commitment  (Psalm 116: 17-19). 

May we rejoice in the LORD, draw strength from His Word, and encourage one another.

And to Alicia's grandmother, wherever you are, because of your prayers...I was touched. For that, I thank you.