Call & Response

The Call: Huddled Against the Cold — Jessica

At least the doves had each other for encouragement…

Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, as indeed you do. We ask you, brothers, to respect those who are laboring among you and who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you, and to show esteem for them with special love on account of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. We urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, cheer the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient with all. See that no one returns evil for evil; rather, always seek what is good [both] for each other and for all. Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:11-18

Response: Broken Cup — Cheryl

This is a long story, but I’ll try to be brief. Nine-year-old Sam likes coffee. When he first started drinking it, he always asked for the same cup: a mug with a bear and balloons on it that I got from my roommate in college. One day, though, Sam broke the mug. He was very upset. I searched ebay, but could not find the same mug. Therefore, I suggested we go to TJ Maxx, and pick out a new one. Sam settled on a blue ceramic travel mug with silicone lid. It said “Dog Lover” on it. He was very happy with that cup, until I broke it. So, once again, it was off to TJ Maxx. Sam picked out a green and white ceramic travel mug with silicone lid. Today, however, he knocked it off the counter while riding through the kitchen on a Ripstik. The incident sent him to his room in tears. But Sam’s very thoughtful brother Henry — without any encouragement — immediately went after the upset Ripstick rider and told him he’d buy Sam another coffee cup.