And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
Hebrews 10:24
It was a cool, sunny morning and I had decided to take a walk in a local park with a friend once the boys were off to school. As goes my story, my plan fell through when I realized I had simultaneously booked a car repair and the walk. However, I really wanted to spend time with my friend, Mary Virginia. She truly spurs me on in so many ways. I was determined to make it work somehow, although without a car I was simply a sitting duck.
Good friends like Mary Virginia are the ones who come to your rescue when you’re down, or when you don’t have a car. Thankfully, she made a little extra time for me that morning and came to my neighborhood to take a walk.
The walk was physically beneficial, but it was the talk and time with my friend that I craved. I know my body needed the exercise, but my spirit needed the lift. We tied our laces and took off around the block. I couldn’t help notice how fast my friend was walking. So fast, that when I tried to talk I was out of breath. But we kept on – together, talking, laughing, planning, encouraging and dreaming. The sun was bright, the air was cool, and the conversation lovely. I sped up my tempo a bit and increased my stride so I didn’t fall behind Mary Virginia.
We both had several things scheduled for that day, so after we had worked up a sweat, we headed back to my house. Once we had a glass of water, Mary Virginia made the hilarious comment, “That was a great walk. Do you always walk that fast?” I laughed as I told her I was trying to keep up with her!
The Bible says we are to spur one another on to love and good deeds and my walk with Mary Virginia gave me such a sweet picture of that. Not that I was trying to outdo her or she me, we were simply trying to get a little exercise while we spent time together.
Likewise, we should spur one another on in life. When a friend is down (or her car is in the shop), go meet her. Share your heart with her and let her share her heart with you. Most importantly, share God’s word with her and let her share God’s word with you. You may be the vessel that God choses to reach someone with His love today! Lift each other up, because it doesn’t take much in this world to get us down.
His servant and yours,
Paula Nelson