|
|
by David
Phelps
"Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person." - Mother Teresa
January, 1996
When our family went to the funeral home to pay our respects to Mary Cain, our four-year-old daughter, Monica, insisted on calling it a "memory house," because we had told her it was a place to remember people who had gone to heaven. The end of one year -- and the beginning of another -- is also a time for remembering. We can remember the old year, and decide what we would like to do differently in the new year.We can also remember how we shared our faith in the old year: How often did we share our faith? How often did we speak out when the voice of God was required? Was there a particular person to whom we should have spoken? We can use our memories to be challenged to improve: We can share more. We can speak out more often. We can share with more people.
Recently, Charlotte and I were asked to sell raffle tickets on behalf of Monica's day care center. I found it relatively easy to approach half a dozen people in only a few days -- more than I speak to about my faith in a month. This is especially critical since I can offer them the chance to receive the greatest prize of all -- eternal life. I hope you will join me in asking God for courage and opportunity to be a witness in the coming year, and if you were successful in the year just past, may God richly bless you.
"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." (John 14:26 RSV.)