As you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. (Phil. 2:16)
BILLY AND JOYCE Miller pastored a small-town church. Thanks to their own active high school and college-aged children, at least half of their attendees were young adults.
One young couple, Eric and Katie, was getting ready to move to another state and invited Bill and Joyce to their going-away party, held at a bowling alley. The Millers were the only ones there over thirty. They had fun interacting with the younger people.
As the Millers were leaving, one young man who had bowled an amazing game came to speak to them. He looked them in the eye as he said, “You’re Eric and Katie’s pastors, right? They live in my apartment complex and are the absolute best neighbors. I don’t know what we will do when they leave. It’s really hard to get good neighbors.” The Millers were so proud of Eric and Katie, of how they lived out their faith in such a way that their neighbors enjoyed their company and looked up to them.
Just like Paul, the Millers knew that what they had poured into Eric and Katie had not been in vain. The reward to the Millers was the pride they felt seeing the impact of that young couple’s lives on the people around them.
Eric and Katie had proven to be faithful students in the Word and ways of God.
Determine to be a positive influence through wise living today.
Annie Wamberg is a recent empty-nester. She is enjoying the quiet as well as gardening and traveling.
