The Power of Encouragement

There are moments in life when a simple phone call can hold the power to uplift spirits and transform a challenging situation. This truth became vividly clear to me during my early years of pastorate in Fishertown, Pennsylvania.

The journey of my first pastorate was a path sprinkled with both excitement and uncertainty. My wife and I had made a significant move to Fishertown Pennsylvania, a decision that placed us miles away from the comfort of our family and familiar surroundings. This change, although hopeful, brought its own set of challenges. The adjustment to a new community, the responsibilities of leading a congregation, and the distance from loved ones weighed heavily on us. Days turned into weeks, and our enthusiasm gradually gave way to a sense of discouragement.

In the midst of this emotional landscape, an unexpected phone call became a source of comfort. It was a friend from the church we attended prior to our move.

The call was simple yet profound. He didn't have any specific agenda or groundbreaking news to share. Instead, he simply wanted to talk, to let us know that he was thinking of us. His words were not grand gestures of help or elaborate promises of change. They were, however, filled with genuine care and concern. He asked about our well-being, our adjustment to the new community, and shared lighthearted stories to bring a smile to our faces. It was a conversation that spanned from everyday trivialities to deeper expressions of empathy and understanding.

This phone call, seemingly ordinary, was a powerful reminder of the impact of encouragement. It taught me that the act of reaching out, of showing someone that they are in your thoughts, can have an immeasurable effect. It wasn't just the conversation that mattered, but the intention behind it – the effort to bridge the distance, to be a source of comfort, and to reaffirm the bonds of friendship and community.

From this experience, I learned an invaluable lesson about extending care and human connection. Encouragement doesn't always have to come in grand gestures. Sometimes, it's the simple act of picking up the phone, of checking in, of sharing a moment of your day with someone who might need just that. It's about acknowledging that despite our busy lives and personal challenges, we can be a source of strength and light to others.

After that phone call, whenever I encountered someone in our congregation or community facing their own struggles, I often remembered the power of that phone call. It encouraged me to be more proactive in offering support and encouragement. It reinforced the idea that we are all interconnected, and our actions, no matter how small, can have a significant impact on the lives of others.

Encouragement is a powerful tool, not simply for chaplains, but for all of us. It is a tool that can change the course of a person's day, or even their life. It's a lesson I carry with me, a reminder of the impact we can have on one another simply by showing we care.

Jim

The Chaplain Writer