A Good Hope

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. —2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Leah wrote the two short verses inside of a simple card. She sealed the envelope with a prayer. Slipping it into her bag, the image of her friend Pam flashed before her eyes. They were red-rimmed eyes, filled with tears, set in a face pulled down by worry.

“I don’t know what to do,” Pam’s words echoed in Leah’s ears.

Neither had Leah.

When Pam had come to her, sick with stress, Leah had only known to listen.

In light of Pam’s struggles with family, work, school, and even her faith, Leah hadn’t known what to say.

Leah had felt so awkward, sipping her Starbucks and patting Pam’s hand. Leah had no more insight on how to help her friend today than she had then. She still didn’t know what to do. She had promised to pray, and that had caused a smile of gratitude to lift Pam’s lips. But Leah wanted to do more.

So she dropped the card, containing nothing but the scribbled Scripture and an “I love you,” into the mailbox the next day.

“I don’t know how to help her, Lord,” she whispered.

Peace flooded her heart.

“You just did… You pointed her to what she needs most: Me.”