Encourage One Another
Once, when Ray and I were visiting a church, we were disappointed by the person giving the opening announcements. He expressed appreciation for those of us who were visiting that morning, and then told the church’s members, in effect, “You members, you’re supposed to be here.” Ray told of that experience in a sermon recently, speaking of his compassion for the church members who heard that message after struggling to get there that morning.
- Think of the working, single mother who worked until 10 o’clock the night before, dragged herself out of bed, and then fed and dressed her children.
- Consider the elderly woman who struggled up the stairs with her walker.
- Feel with the widower who ate a lonely breakfast.
- Think of the breadwinner who lost his job on Friday.
Babcock family, August 1943
The Babcocks of Rochester, New York,
attend church every Sunday morning.
Find them on the third row.
1943 photos by Ralph Amdursky,
courtesy of the Library of Congress.
We all need encouragement. Family and church are two of the best places to get it—and give it.
Therefore encourage one another
and build up one another,
just as you also are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11