Hope with Grace – Part Seventeen
“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”[1]
If you’re like me, there are certain letters, cards and notes that you keep and occasionally take out as a memory. This was an email I received some years ago….
“Dear Mr. Cox – my name is Yolanda. I am a Teacher of English in a small school. When I opened the website of SPH*[2], I saw your name and it reminded me of a lady who has the same name as you. And I want to say thank you to that lady. Because of her, I was motivated to learn more about the English Language. And now, here I am as a teacher. Though I may only be a teacher for kindergarten and elementary students, I am really happy to do my job. Her name is Laureen or Maureen Cox. (If I am not mistaken). She is an Australian. Let me tell you how she inspired me to be what I am now. Seven years ago, I used to work at the Post Office. One time, Mrs. Cox came and she wanted to send a letter to her child in Australia. I helped her and we had a nice conversation. She congratulated me on my English, which made me so happy to know her. Then, later, she gave me a thank you card, with a koala; she was giving me a huge motivation. She was encouraging me to be more confident to use my English. Then, I left my job to be a teacher, and I have never seen her again. Deep in my heart, I want to thank her for giving me the courage to be a better person. Though I only met her a few times, she is my inspiration and I always pray for her. If Mrs. Cox is somebody you know, or maybe if she is your wife, please tell her how much I miss her, and I want to meet her. I really want to say hello and give her a big hug of gratitude. Thank you for reading my letter. God bless you and your family. Amen.”
Firstly, let us never underestimate our conversations with strangers… The Bible encourages us to “not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares”[3] Let us make sure that our words reflect the nature of Jesus Christ in challenge, love, mercy, grace and encouragement. Let us offer “Hope with Grace.”
Secondly, if a few chance encounters at the Post Office can have such an effect on a life, imagine our responsibility and potential effects as teachers and those who support education. A graduating student has spent over 20,000 hours in the company of his or her teachers. What a monumental effect our words and actions can have on our young people.
This email causes me to reflect. Which young people have I influenced significantly this year? How many young people have been encouraged by my interactions with them? “Have we spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ into the lives that we have touched?” have we so influenced our young people that they are “letters of Christ, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God.”[4]
Together working out responsive discipleship.
Blessings,
Brian
[1] Proverbs 16:24
[2] *Sekolah Pelita Harapan
[3] Hebrews 13:2
[4] 2 Corinthians 2:14-17