The Encouragement Of Life

A pastor was going to a friend's house to find out why he had not attended his church for weeks, fearing he might be injured or sick. At least find out if he was OK and if so try and give him some support if needed. A way to encourage him to seek or accept fellowship and love from others either from his church or the community.

Once at his friend's house the pastor knocked on his door. Moments later the door opened and there stood his friend, apparently OK, but alone. His friend said, "Hi pastor, please come in and sit with me in front of my open fireplace." The pastor came in and after he shut the door both men went across the room with the pastor sitting in the chair closest to the warm fire. With both now sitting down they both silently looked into the flaming coals burning in the midst of this comforting warm fire.

Minutes later the pastor reached out and grabbed the tongs that are used to pick up coals and reached out to one of the glowing red hot coals in the fire. Picking up one which appeared to have the most vibrant white/yellow flames dancing on it and center glowing hot and red. Pulling it far enough away from the rest of the burning coals so as not to be influenced by them. Setting it down on the cold hard brick frame supporting the fireplace.

Both men sat quietly staring at that one lump of coal as the flames stopped dancing and slowly flickered out. It was like watching something die a slow death, the once vibrant, glowing red coal's inner part eventually faded to just a grayish lifeless color. Moments later it sat lifeless alone, while all the other coals in the midst of the fire were crackling with exuberant life with flames that almost appeared dancing in unison.

With no one talking it felt as if eternity had passed when the pastor finally broke the silence by reaching out with the tongs again. He once again picked up this now lifeless piece of coal and set it back into the midst of all the others. Miraculously, slowly, this piece of coal burst into flames again. Yellow white curly flames started dancing around its outer surface. Glowing red hot again from within, as it had been prior to separation from the others. Moments later it's flames, that were dancing on the surface, seemed to dance in unison with all the others as if it belonged and had never left.

Then the pastor stood up and turned to his friend and said, "Thank you I must go now." He also got up and escorted the pastor to his front door and as he opened it for him he said, "Thank you pastor for the fiery sermon, I did not know I was missed so much. I will make sure I show up Sunday morning at your church. I just did not know how much I miss the singing, hugging, the warmth you and the others give, until you stopped by tonight."

A story of how to encourage a friend.
Love and trust comes from the warmth of others and that can only be attained with fellowship Giving and not taking, as an article in the national nightly news recently pointed out in a study. It was discovered that people are the happiest when they are giving, not when there receiving. Buying stuff, eating, entertaining themselves, which are the recent social behavioral changes sweeping our country, had not produced happiness.

In other words, "Giving equals, is, receiving!" Something so well taught over and over again in the New Testament of the "Holy Bible." The very reason for it's existing. As a testimony and definition of the human spirit as it should be. Struggles of life confronted and rinsed in the waters of spiritual peace. Given in words of wisdom, truth, and most of all, LOVE.