COCA-COLA CONSOLIDATED
“ I SUGGESTED THAT SHE SHOULD ENCOURAGE, PRAY, AND WAIT FOR GOD TO SOFTEN HER SPOUSE’S HEART
HELP IN THE MIDST OF MARITAL DIFFICLTY
The other day, a teammate approached me seeking help with her marriage. After speaking with her more, I discovered that the root of the problems was related to their spiritual life. She was feeling distant from God and was disappointed that her spouse showed no interest in spiritual matters. I confirmed that she was a believer and advised her to focus on her own relationship with God first. Then, I suggested that she should encourage, pray, and wait for God to soften her spouse's heart. I spent some time sharing with her how she could grow her faith by reading the Bible regularly. I also demonstrated a powerful method of Scripture praying that could help her. She was grateful for the advice and excited to start putting it into practice.
CARE FOR ANXIETY
A teammate approached me during my regular rounds and shared that he was experiencing a great deal of anxiety. I asked him what he thought was causing it, and he told me that he was going to be an empty nester soon, and his wife was dealing with what they believe to be a terminal disease. Knowing that the teammate is a believer, I asked him about his support system. He shared that he and his wife had not been to church in some time. I spent some time explaining to him how important it is to have a church family as a support system. I encouraged him not to give up and to keep praying and trusting that God may still yet do something unexpected with his wife’s condition but emphasized the importance of a close personal relationship with God and a strong support system through a local church. He agreed to focus on those things, and we prayed together.
“ MY CARING RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS TEAMMATE HAS NOW SPANNED SEVERAL LIFE EVENTS, BOTH THE UPS AND THE DOWNS.
AN ONGOING CARING RELATIONSHIP
In the past, a teammate has reached out to me when a family member needed assistance. A few years ago, the teammate’s spouse lost their brother, and as a result, they were struggling to cope with the grief. However, they eventually came to know the Lord through this process. Unfortunately, the spouse later developed dementia, and over the last few years, the teammate has requested that I visit their spouse in the hospital to provide support. I have continued to offer my assistance to the teammate who has struggled to juggle life and the responsibilities of caring for their spouse. Recently, their spouse was placed on hospice care, and I have made several visits to their home. I have spent time praying and reading scriptures with the teammate’s permission, and although their spouse is no longer conscious, I have been there for the teammate to listen and provide support. The teammate has asked me to officiate the funeral when their spouse eventually passes away. My caring relationship with this teammate has now spanned several life events, both the ups and the downs. The teammate has worked for Coca-Cola Consolidated for almost 45 years and I have served as their Chaplain for 8 years.
KEY STATS
FIRST QUARTER REPORT 2024
