After months of corona caution dogging us at every step, who couldn’t use some encouragement?   While many of us might feel as if we have been in jail, Paul had been.  When he was not in jail, he was traveling very long distances to spread the Good News, and along the way, he was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, and run out of town.  That is why when Timothy brought encouraging news from the Thessalonians, Paul responded as if he’d been given a refreshing cup of cold water.  The Thessalonians made certain that Timothy conveyed their love and appreciation to him.

               Last month we observed Pastor Appreciation Month, and last May, Teacher Appreciation Week.  We have specific days to show appreciation for our nurses, law enforcement officers, administrative assistants, and many, many others.  We know that life would be so much harder without their work and sacrifices; but do we tell them “thank you” at other times when there is not a day set aside to remind us?   Do we tell the people delivering goods to us how much we appreciate them?  Tell our parents thank you for a good meal they prepared after a long day at work?  Everyone feels encouraged by those gestures.

               But what if we are the ones who would like a sip of cold water?  Paul writes in Galatians, let’s not get tired of doing good, because when it’s the right time, we will reap a harvest.  Maybe that harvest includes the blessing of knowing we have the privilege of being encouraging to others and allowing God to use us in being a blessing.