Today, I needed encouragement, and I told God I needed encouragement. I got on my hands and knees and cried out to God, “I just needed encouragement, not a prayer, not a list of Scriptures, not criticism, and she was the only one that cared enough to send me a hug.” I’ve read that you will know a Christian by their love. I have no doubt Beth knows Christ. I see Jesus in her every day. We are in a war against the enemy. But this woman stopped what she was doing and cared enough about me to hug me with a sweet text. She is my Beth friend, and I’m thankful for this woman of God who, although hurt by others, stands in that store every day to treat others with love and me too. Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Luke 10:27 NIV) Beth does that every day. And she doesn’t need the walls of a church to shine for Jesus. She shines for Jesus in that convenience store. She may be the only Jesus they ever see. I’m glad she’s there. And I’m so glad she’s my friend, and I’m so glad she’s my little sister too. Who is my neighbor, Lord? Am I treating them with love? The truth is, I do have a heart issue, but Beth didn’t look at my heart issue. She saw a woman who was hurting and loved on her. She cared enough to love me and hug me where I was at. God is still working on me. I’m nowhere close to where I need to be, but Jesus loves me, and He saw my hurt and didn’t judge me. He sent Beth.
“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” (Hebrews 3:13)
I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore, very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more. But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry. From the waters lifted me, now safe am I. Love lifted me! Love lifted me! When nothing else could help, Love lifted me! (from Love Lifted Me by James Rowe–public domain) God used one woman who cared, and I am better because she loved on me. I was lifted above my despair. I asked the Lord to bless her because she so blessed me, and I’m believing God for it too. Thank you, Beth, for loving on me and caring about me. Because you did, my faith has been restored in our good God.
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