Ephesians 6:18 — And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.(NIV)

As I am finishing my coffee this morning and talking to You about the day ahead, I think of a chance encounter I had yesterday with a young friend of mine from church. She was thanking me for visiting her friend Mary and for the follow up phone calls. Mary has two children with special needs and was so excited that I had shared with her the classes and other support that our church offers. My friend went on to thank me for inviting Mary to lunch next week and shared how Mary was looking so forward to this one-on-one time with me, just to relax with her new friend. As my young friend continued on with her thanks and praises, I was seriously wishing that I had done all of those things, but it wasn’t me!  When I made that confession, I laughingly said, “tell whoever it is to keep it up – she’s doing a much better job than I am!”  My friend and I both chuckled and walked away.  Even though I walked away from the conversation, I can’t get away from the feeling of wishing I had done all those things and wondering why I hadn’t.  I heard a speaker once say that its always women who say, “I could do more.”  I don’t think I could necessarily “do more”, but I can “do better”.  I know that I can’t go back in time and replace that loving woman who reached out to Mary to give her what she needed — help for her children, a friend, even a free lunch!  But, I can use that unknown woman’s example and become more of an encourager.  As these thoughts are running through my mind, I also have the thought (maybe a whisper from You, God?) that it isn’t about me!  Philippians 2:3 tells me not to do things because of rivalry.  Instead of thinking that I need to “keep up”, I can be applauding this woman who reached out.  1 Thessalonians 5:11 says that we should encourage each other and build each other up.  I can’t do that with her face to face, but I can do that by praying for her and being thankful for her actions that were such a blessing to Mary.   Lord, I thank You for this sweet sister who is working so that others can see You.  I pray that You will give her strength, that You will send her encouragement, and that she will feel Your presence in all that she does.  And Lord, make me more sensitive to the opportunities You provide for me to help others.