The Investment

I just had the strongest urge to pick up the phone and call my dad. He’s been gone for almost four years now, and I have a feeling that there will be countless times to come that I crave a conversation with him. There is so much about life that has changed for me over the past year and a half, and I sometimes wonder what he would think of it all.
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A prayer of mine used to be that my dad would find a ministry to invest himself in as he got older, sure that God would provide the right opportunity. Dad was very wise and there was much he offered that would have been a benefit to anyone. He always gave so much to us, his family. Little did I know that what he was pouring himself into (us) was the ministry that God was providing. Through his efforts to love, help and teach us, his influence would reach far beyond anything he could ever know, or that we could ever imagine.

Starting The Encouragement Project has been a dream of mine for well over ten years, and was kept hidden in my imagination until not too long ago. Perhaps dad never knew of this ministry by such a title, and certainly not in the structure it is taking on in these days, but through innumerable conversations over the years, he was helping me shape the thoughts and ideas, perspectives and motivations, and the purpose that is helping this Project now grow.

Although dad might not have always known it in any given situation or discussion, God used him abundantly in both basic and extraordinary ways to encourage and enable me to take the steps of faith required along the way…including setting out on this incredible adventure of The Encouragement Project.

I wanted to share this bit of backstory with you for several reasons…

• simply listening to and encouraging others can have astounding effects                       
• holding fast to the Truth (Jesus) can deeply influence those around you to follow Him completely
• never EVER underestimate the impact you have on the lives of your family, friends, and those around you

May you be encouraged to persevere and joyfully invest in others as you follow the Lord. We truly have no idea what good things God will do as a result of it.

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Let us not grow weary in doing good,
for at the proper time we will reap a harvest
​if we do not give up.
Ephesians 6:9
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