The Encouragers

Who would expect the lowly rhubarb to lend itself to salsa, baked beans, biscotti, muffins and even chocolate rhubarb pudding? That’s what showed up in cooking contests at rhubarb festivals like the ones at Lanesboro, Minnesota and Sheddon, Ontario.

I mean, this practically wild (some even say weed-like plant) grows almost anywhere. Often it sits abandoned in backyards. Still, someone saw its possibilities. They saw it as more than a soupy stew. Rhubarb became loftier than it should have because someone saw its capabilities.

Who saw yours? Who helped you become more than you ought to be? Who spent time with you and turned you from raw branches into something with more substance?

“God!” we will parrot and shout together and that is quite true, but someone came alongside you, alongside me and encouraged us in the name of Christ to climb out of the stew pot onto the pudding platter. You might say they moved us from stew to steward.

Can we honestly say we have responded to their kindnesses the same way Paul did?

Ephesians 1:16-I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers (NIV).

There is no time like the present.

Prayer: Father God, we thank you for our mentors, friends and supporters. In Christ’s name. Amen.

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