When I was a 19 years old and a sophomore in college, I was participating in a program to encouragenew college students. I was called a “big sister”. I attempted to reach out to my group of about 10 students with notes of encouragement, and tokens to let them know I was thinking of them. Interestingly enough, one of my little brothers was 38 years old and he was courageously attending collegefor the first time amongst a community of students much younger than he. Recently, my little brother and I have been exercising at the same gym and at the same time in the mornings. He shared with me that one day he was especially discouraged in his new college endeavor and asking God what he was even doing there. He then went to the college post office and found in his box a cup of candy with a note from me. He said God used that cup of candy to reassure him and tell him it was going to be okay.
Wow!!!! All these years later, I had forgotten about the things I did as a big sister. Now, I would not describe myself as one who was walking with the Lord at that time. I did have a big heart to help people though.
God used little brother’s story to strengthen me. I had been studyingthe following:
Philipians 4:13 “ I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” The Greek word being used for strength is a word about strengthening and literally means “ to make strong”.
I have recently been pondering this act of God in his people to make us strong and powerful. Acts 9:22says “Yet Paul grew more and more powerful….”
In a new endeavor in my life, where I am experiencing voices of the unknown and fear, I have asked the Lord to make me strong as I walk in faith to serve the people I believe He has called me to serve. Little brother’s story reminded me that God knows when we as his children are in need of being strengthend and encouraged, and He does that for us. He took a cup of candy and a note from a girl who was not even seeking him, and encouraged his son. Now all these years later, God used that cup and note story to make me strong and encourage me too, as I am walking in faith like little brother did. God hears and acts on behalf of his children. Oh how He loves us!!!!