Through years
of serving in a mentoring ministry I inherited a daughter and friend. As a single mom of a three-year-old without family
nearby, encouragement was key to my mentoring role.
Encouragement
speaks the language of the heart enabling a trusting relationship. Slowly and
surely, she and her little girl drew closer to me, often spending time at my
home with my son and grandsons. I am “mom to her, grandmother and god-mother to
her daughter.”
Enthusiastic
encouragement is contagious, it’s is a boomerang! A time soon came that I would need her
encouragement and support more than she needed mine. At the time of my
son’s passing, she wrapped her love and strong hugs around me like a warm
blanket.
Barnabas: “Son of
Encouragement, Son of Exhortation” ----- was a Levite from Cyprus named Joses.
The name Barnabas was given to him because of his willingness to serve. He is referred to as a “good man, full of the Holy Spirit and
faith. Through his ministry, “a great number of people were brought to the
Lord.” Acts 11:24.
Like
Barnabas, we are called to be encouragers and trusted advisors giving
sacrificially to the work of the Lord and the community of faith. We are to continue
to encourage, even when we may doubt the influence of our mentoring.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if
we do not give up. Therefore, as
we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to
the family of believers." Galatians 6:9-11
Our ultimate
service is to our Lord Jesus, whose words of comfort and encouragement are
imprinted on our hearts.
"Do
not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the
kingdom. Let
not your hearts be troubled. Luke 12:32
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