1 Thessalonians 2:9
“Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.”
Several years ago I bought a number of small notepads and distributed them to members of our congregation so they could jot down prayer requests or take study notes. My precious wife chose a red notepad and carried it in her purse each Sunday.
Several of our members mentioned that is the thing they will always remember about Joyce. She would quietly write down any prayer concerns that were given. They knew that when Joyce wrote it down, she would be remembering them in her prayer time.
Last week I finally mustered the courage to go through her purse. One of the most precious things I found was that small notebook. As I thumbed through it I saw all of those requests that she had noted. But I saw something else — she had also written a few requests for her own spiritual walk with the Lord. I was humbled! I type this with tears in my eyes as I recall this precious saint who loved the Lord, and she loved me!
Our precious friend, Don Hartman, officiated at Joyce’s memorial service. He shared how he had so often had the best intentions to pray for people when they had requested, but then forgot! I think we can all relate to that. But when Don saw Joyce writing requests in her little red notebook, he knew she would not forget. Joyce has taught me never to forget to remember! I can hardly wait to see her again!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil