Who is thankful for the encouragement you offer?

Tom Crenshaw Nov. 24, 2022

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Dear Friend,

I opened the letter on my computer, and I was amazed to discover it was previously sent to me on October 23, 2011.

I quickly read it, and then I typed off the following note.

Thanks ________ but not sure why your letter just showed up on my computer screen when I noted it was written in 2011.

Having said that I can't tell you how encouraged I was by your words. I confess I don't remember this letter, but there are a lot of things that I don't always remember at my age.

I have been going through some challenges, like most every pastor does, and your kind words, even though written over a decade ago, were a great blessing to me at a time when I most needed an 'encouragement boost.' For whatever reason you decided to resend it last night, I want to say thanks for your timely gift.

Thanks for allowing the Holy Spirit to nudge you to resend it.

It was early this morning when I read this letter on my computer from a church member.

For whatever reason I was unable to sleep, so I decided to get up as I had an early morning visit to the hospital on a friend who was having surgery, and I wanted to complete a Leadership Thought article before I left. As sometimes is the case, however, I wasn't sure what I wanted to share.

But in first checking my e-mail, I discovered a letter that was written to me on October 23, 2011. It came from a member in our church, and it was dripping with appreciation. I quickly typed an e-mail response to my letter-writing friend, clicked send, and immediately I knew the subject for today's article.

We all need encouragement. As I have often said, "it is oxygen to the soul." There has never been a person I knew who didn't need or welcome it, and what a blessing it is when it comes, and especially when it comes at a time when it is most needed.

Is there someone you know today who would be blessed to receive an "encouragement" boost? Why not take a moment to express your personal thankful appreciation to this individual?

Be specific. Let the person know what it is that has blessed and encouraged you.

Maybe it might be a teacher or a coach or a pastor from yesteryear, or possibly one of your children, or one of your parents. Whoever it may be, I am sure they will be touched and blessed by what you share.

I can affirm the truth of the power of 'echoing words,' and I think you can too. So, pick up the pen, or open up your computer, or pick up your telephone and do it today. You'll be glad you did, and who knows but what your encouragement boost will come at a time, like mine, when it was most needed.

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Tom Crenshaw serves as Connections Pastor of the New Monmouth Baptist Church (non denominational) where he previously served as a three year interim.He has been married to Jean for almost 50 years, and they have four children, all of whom are teachers.Tom loves perennial gardening, umpiring high school baseball, coaching baseball and football, fishing for small mouth bass, rooting for his favorite team, the Cleveland Indians, and listening to ‘real’ country music, the classic kind. Learn More »

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