Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

I’ve lost count how many times my writing has addressed an issue I face after it prints. For a social media meme, I used a snow scene around a streetlamp with the words, “Like a new-fallen snow, allow God to blanket your life with His love.” Intended as a moment of joy for those who face a difficult day, I scheduled it and forgot about it.

However, while performing caregiving chores at 3:00 a.m. the day it published, I remembered that post. As I fought tears and swallowed frustration, I repeated it as a prayer to calm my frazzled nerves, strengthen my tired body, and remind me of God’s never-failing presence.

If we use our gifts to serve others, we never know when God may return the benefits of those offerings to us.

Diana Derringer
Campbellsville, KY 

Loving Father, thank You for Your gentle reminder that the good we allow You to do through us also helps us. Amen.

Reflect: Recall ways God helps you as you help others.

Read: Philippians 2:1-2 and 1 Thessalonians 3:9