Building One Another

NEXT TO YOU! Vol 14 No 6

February 10, 2015

Dear Friend,

Sitting on the aisle of an airplane on Sunday with a pleasant woman in the middle seat and with boarding nearly finished and the window seat empty, I was thinking, “We can spread out.” Then a very young mother with her very small baby took that seat. Suddenly I was looking forward to a less than quiet time in the air!

The woman next to me immediately helped that young mom. Taking the child with obvious expertise she bounced, cuddled, and cooed that baby into warm smiles and happy joy until she laid the sleeping baby in the arms of his mother and the two of them slept together the entire flight.

Thinking about that later I realized our Lord had put just the right person next to that mother and baby and in fact had put just the right person next to me.

God loves to do that. The wonderful word “paraclete” means, “one who comes alongside to help.” Our Lord enjoys putting just the right people next to you – paracletes in your life!

Think for a moment about who is next to you whose role in your life has been to lift your spirits, tend your wounds, and simply to walk with you through the valley.

Give thanks for them and thanks to them! 

And should you find yourself alone, recall the words of Jesus and know the God who loves you is just the right one next to you: “...when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me” John 16:32.* 

Joy to you - E. Stanley Ott
Copyright 2015 E. Stanley Ott
*Scripture from the NRSV