I just received another one this morning: a message from a friend saying, “I’ve felt so led to pray for you. What’s going on? How can I help?”
I cannot tell you how much this means to me.
The truth is that the past few weeks have been tough. There are still mornings that I wake up overwhelmed by the uncertainty of what the future holds. Yet, throughout the whole ordeal of the past few weeks, God has used His people to bring me encouragement.
First, a friend who sent a message sharing what someone told her when she went through a difficult family health crisis. She said the Holy Spirit wouldn’t release her until she sent the message. Good thing, because it was exactly what I needed to hear! This timely word confirmed that I was on the right track and that it was God leading and guiding me.
A few days later, I received a card from a friend expressing her love and concern. She reminded me that her family is one of the few who has experience with the rare disease causing my Dad and brothers problems. Whether she planned it or not, it meant so much that her card said, “Be Still”—the verse the Holy Spirit has been speaking to me since this crisis began.
Then there was the friend who read a Facebook post and called to say, “I don’t mean to overstep, but can I make a call and help with this?” I couldn’t say “yes” fast enough!! That call helped more than my friend can imagine.
Of course, we can never forget our friend who sent a video with just five words: “I’m praying for your daddy.” While it was my favorite 3-year-old saying the words, the love that I felt from her grandma who sent the video made my heart melt.
Today I am grateful for every call, text, offer of a meal or a hotel room, and every prayer. There really is nothing like the love that comes from the family of God and the support we offer each other. When each of us obeys the voice of the Holy Spirit and sends the card, make the call, offers a prayer, or writes a text, there is no limit to what God can do through our obedience.
So today I want to say “thank you”. Jamie and I appreciate you all so much. Through this extremely difficult time, your love and concern have ministered to us more than you know.
I also want to encourage all of us to remember how important it is that we obey the Holy Spirit’s leading in our lives. It may seem like a little thing. You may be unsure or not what to overstep into someone else’s business. But let me encourage you that the gesture that may seem insignificant to you may be the most significant thing to happen in someone’s life at that moment.
So send the card.
Write the text.
Make the call.
Step out in faith and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Just like Jesus multiplied the small lunch of a little boy to miraculously meet the needs of thousands, you will be amazed at what God will do through you.
It’s how we obey 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.” (The Message)
Keep up the good work! You don’t know whose life you are changing!
Adessa Holden is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God specializing in Women's Ministry. Together with her brother, Jamie, they manage 4One Ministries and travel the East Coast speaking, holding conferences, and producing Men's and Women's resources that provide practical Biblical teaching for everyday life.
When asked about herself, she'll tell you "I'm a women's minister, a sister, and a daughter. I love to laugh and spend time with people. My favorite things are chocolate, the ocean, sandals and white capris, anything purple, summertime and riding in the car listening to music. It is my absolute honor and privilege to serve Jesus and women through this ministry.
