Restore to me the joy of your salvation,                                                                                and make me willing to obey you.      Psalm 51:12

“We are created to live in relationship with others, and there is a hunger for affirmation. We need a healthy supply of encouragement from others in order to grow as God intends.”

When asked who his favorite person, besides Jesus, was in the Bible, my husband always answered without hesitation, “BARNABAS!”. Joseph of Cyprus, nicknamed “Son of Encouragement”. Just the mention of his name would bring a beaming smile to his face.

It was Barnabas who brought Saul to the Apostles. I can only imagine how hard that was for the Apostles to meet Saul. Acts 9:26-28

“To be a Christian was to accept the road of suffering, but it was a journey they made with Joy.”

It says of Barnabas in Acts 11:24″ for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And large numbers were added to the Lord.”

I knew my husband as a Barnabas in my life as well as in many other lives he touched. I realize now how dependent I had become on him for motivation. It broke my heart to hear a friend, who has been recently widowed, describe herself as “the sluggish one”.I understand. I wonder if it’s a grief symptom or lack of encouragement. Just to hear “let’s go” or that instant eye contact or that way we had of touching the back of our hands together…..

“And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works.” Hebrews 10:24  Amen