Read: Read: John 17:4
I pray everyone noticed that there was no February An Encouraging Word. There is a reason for that.
The monthly devotional began in November 1998. Its purpose was to keep a few friends "in the Word." My family and I were moving, and my position over the Bible Study had not been filled. I promised to write "a little something" and e-mail it to them each month to help fill the void. It was named An Encouraging Word and was slated to end when their Bible Study was back on track. There were about eight people on the mailing list.
Those receiving the meditation began asking if they could forward it to others. I was deeply honored and gave my permission. From that point it really began to grow. I don't know how many of you are old enough to remember this animated laundry detergent commercial. The initial woman had washed her clothes with a particular detergent and hung them on the line to dry. Her neighbor noticed the incredibly clean clothes and in response to her comment about them was told of the detergent. The commercial then said, "She told her two friends and they told two friends, and so on, and so on, and so on." That pretty much sums up how this ministry has grown. The mailing list went from the initial eight to the current number of 89. That does not include the number of forwarded messages! What an incredible example of little becoming much in the Master's hands!
After I saw that the Lord had taken this from "a little something" to ministry, I went to prayer and gave it totally to Him. I promised the Lord that when He did not give me a message, I would not write anything. I wanted to merely be a pen in HIS hand. I wanted to ensure that each message flowed from the heart of God and made a difference in the lives of those receiving it.
Each month, for 121 months, He provided the message. Last month, however, when I prayed for the meditation, Heaven was silent. I heard absolutely nothing. I waited, prayed and waited. Still nothing. By February 24th I knew there would be nothing given to me--I mail out several copies of the meditation and knew they would not arrive to their destination before the end of the month. It was then that I felt the "release" from the ministry and the Lord's approval of a completed work. This is a bittersweet moment for me. I will truly miss sharing my life and God's heart with you each month. But at the same time I am so excited to see what the Lord has in store for me in this new season that I am entering!
I have only one favor to ask. I would like to know how far the Lord has taken His Encouraging Word. Would you be so kind as to e-mail me and let me know the city and state (or country) where you live? I will compile the list and send one last e-mail with the results.
It has been an honor to be welcomed into your journey. I pray that the deposit God has made into your life through An Encouraging Word will grow to maturity. May you in turn be a major blessing to those who cross your path!
