Barbed Wire Hearts

Pentecost Greetings!

  Last night my best friend Dave and I went to Red Lobster on Shadeland in Indy.  Two things happened.    One was that my bill came to exactly $25 which is exactly the same amount that was on my gift card from Liesel for my birthday!  How often does that happen.  Thank you, Liesel and Jim!   The second thing happened when we walked out to our cars.  Dave pointed out the fence at the Chevy dealer next to Red Lobster.  There was a high metal fence with barbed wire at the top that went across ¾ of the back lot.  ¼ of the lot had no barbed wire and no fence so you could just walk onto the back lot.  Interesting, eh?    Made me think about part of this Sunday’s lesson in 1 Thessalonians 5: 11:  “Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing."    Often I put up fences and even walls around myself.  I work hard not to, but sometimes it is necessary for preservation I think.  When I do that it is hard for others to encourage me and build me up, because they don’t get to know me.  Their words can be shallow, but that is only because I am being shallow and not letting them in.  It’s hard to be vulnerable - to not put up a razor wire fence all around me and my heart.  Sometimes I leave part of it open to some people; yet, is that right?  I don’t think so.   Even though I may get hurt, I also may not.  I may get encouraged and built up.  I think it’s worth the risk.   Thank you to all those who do encourage me.  I would not be the person I am today without your words and actions.  May I, may we all, encourage one another sincerely, openly and honestly.    God is encouraging us each day through God’s word! Hope