Church hurt is awful. If you’ve ever experienced it, you know what I mean.
I’ve recently been in one of those seasons — the kind that leaves you weary and broken-hearted. When many people you love and care about are also sad, disillusioned, struggling, confused, or angry. When finger-pointing is rampant and people disappoint you on a level you didn’t know was possible. When your eyes are irritated with their own planks.
Humans are so human, and we sure can make a mess of things.
We flail around trying to handle life and all it hurls at us in our own strength, only to realize eventually that self-reliance is folly. We forget that our battles are not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. We have a hard time remembering to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. If we remembered this, then we would have everything we need — truth, righteousness, peace, faith, our salvation, and God’s Word — to resist evil and stand firm. (See Ephesians 6:10-18 NASB.) As this passage teaches, spiritual warfare requires spiritual weapons.
I’m finding now, as I’ve discovered so many times before, that when we come to the end of our abilities, experience, and wisdom – to the end of ourselves – there’s room for God to show up and do what only He can do. Frequently, He will teach us something we need to learn. Sometimes, He’ll bring physical healing. And, in some cases, when you least expect it, He’ll work through people to encourage you when you’re at your lowest.
He did this for me just a few weeks ago when a text popped up on my phone, alerting me to a $10 Venmo notification with a note that read, “Coffee on me—love you <3”
A simple gesture paired with five words and a heart emoji. That little gift from a friend spoke volumes. It wasn’t only about receiving a cup of coffee — it was about being noticed, valued, and loved. It was a gentle nudge to stop focusing on the circumstances I found myself in and to remember that God is at work no matter how I feel, regardless of the tempest engulfing me.
In this unexpected moment, God whispered a sweet truth to my heart: “If a friend notices your need and cares enough to respond, how much more do I see you? How much more do I love you?”
Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:8, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” That gift card was tangible proof of God’s attentive love, delivered through the kindness of a friend. Her ten-dollar gift far exceeded its actual value because of the message it conveyed, one I desperately needed: I am with you in this storm. You are not alone.
The brokenness in our church and in my own heart wasn’t suddenly mended, but for a brief moment, I caught a glimpse of God’s love for me.
When the world is reeling all around you, centering on God and His Word brings calm and clarity. God cares for even the smallest details of our lives. Remember Luke 12:6-7? Even a sparrow is not forgotten by God — and we are worth far more than sparrows. If He knows every hair on our heads, He certainly knows when our hearts are tired and our spirits need refreshment.
The unexpected Venmo reminded me of something else, too: God often uses people as vessels of His love. Whether or not she knew it, my friend’s simple act of generosity was a holy assignment. 1 John 4:12 (NIV) says, “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” My friend was doing important kingdom work — allowing God’s love to flow through her to encourage me.
Ever since I received that $10 cup of kindness, I’ve been asking myself, Who needs a reminder of God’s love today? Because it doesn’t take much — a small gift card, a handwritten note, even a quick text — to reflect the heart of God.
Maybe you’re in a weary season, too, and you could use today’s reminder: God sees you. He cares for you. And He will provide for you in unexpected ways, maybe even through the kindness of a friend..
This truth isn’t new. We’ve known it for centuries: Sometimes, the smallest gifts carry the biggest messages. After all, Jesus came as a baby, right?
I was awake before the alarm as in way before it was due to go off. After tossing & turning asking Why am I awake this early? The Spirit nudged me to ask a different question. “who am I awake for?” Then began a peaceful time in prayer for my friends’ twin granddaughters being delivered this morning, the friend starting chemo, the neighbor facing multiple medical tests, the Sunday school prep being done for this coming week for the class I expected to teach until I lost my sight in May ..whoever else God brought to heart & mind. I hate waking early but God redeems the time & I will be dropping cards in the mail to those folks I prayed for to encourage them as praying for them encouraged me. Thanks for sharing your experience, Robin, that I could be inspired to practical action! Blessings (((0))
Oooo, Ruth! I love it when the Holy Spirt draws you into prayer like that. (and thank you for your words of encouragement <3.)
I’ve made my contact list. Thank you, Robin, for the reminder! It is text time before I leave for work.
Madeline,
Sweet word gifts await! You’ve reminded me to get cracking this morning :D.
Thanks so much for this encouragement Robin! Praying for your hurt to heal and for others. Am reminded of this – Just. Be. Kind. And this from long ago – WWJD Hugs and prayers ❤️
Thank you Robin for this reminder. I try to encourage other women daily, with God’s direction. I am in a season of grieving my sweet Mom. I feel unseen, unheard, unloved and very alone. I know this can be part of the journey as I am learning. Yes, that small encouragement from someone can out a smile on your face and your heart. I try to be aware of someone hurting, as there are so many. I ask that God would continue to speak through His Word, the Truth, to remind those of us that need to be reminded of His Love and Compassion.
Robin you are so right about being disillusioned to do with the Church when they are supposed show love and show they care. Pray for you and be there for you. Me and my Husband found thag in two Churches. See we were in one Church when they had a lovely Pastor Wife and their two kids. We thought we found the right Church we’d be there until the good Lord takes up both home. Then when they left we found ourselves out in the cold. It was who you are that mattered and we knew theses people had big flashy cars etc and good jobs with good pay. We seen us being left out more and more. We are two people me and my Husband we are very simple living my Husband is the only one working in our house. Because of my health I can’t work. So I do his house for him and his washing as he has start of Dementia for the Love of the Lord and my Dad Monday to Friday. I don’t get paid I wouldn’t want to get paid as he is my Dad who helped give me life. We have said this to either before. We rather live the way we do in our small house and drive the care we drive 6 years or more it goes and gets us from A to B. As we have said this either before God hax been good to us we have a roof over our head and car that God has help us be able to buy. When there are People in the world Homeless and other in our world starving. So God has been good to us when we have this. I said to my Husband one day would you like a big flashy car and the life style they have that go to this Church. Immediately my Husband said no I am very thankful for all that God has given us. We are blessed he then said. I said if I had the money I give most of it too the Godly Christian Charities we support. Like World Share and Derek Prince ministries. That was one Church we went to for years and years. Then we left as we felt it was right. We went to another Church and we stayed about 6 months they at the start were nice the start talk to us then as time went on we got they were just intreasted in who you were and we were just ordinary people with nothing fancy. They some had flashy houses flashy cars extra. We got when we went hardly anyone would talk to us. If did it was not that long. I said to my Husband I feel like a wall flower looking for a drink of water with it’s head dropped. I was taking about a Sun Flower as if you don’t water ten often they droppe their head. My Husband said I agree with you. Look they are over talking more to them with money and flashy things. I said to my Husband even if I had the money I not want there life style and the flashy things they have. We stayed until we could stay no more. No one when we left came to find out why we had left and was there anything wrong. Then we searched for another Church to go to. I can’t remember if I prayed for God to guide us to it. Through time we found one the Salvation Army. They did what Jesus does as the kids song says. Jesus hand were kind hands doing good to all. They never leave anyone out or forget about them they treat all the same. They made us feel welcome and treated us as there Church family. If not out for a reason they say on the next Sunday out missed you. We are all one big family thst Love either in Christ that is what God want us all to do no favoritism. Just showing God love to everyone. That is what the Church should be. So we have stayed ever since we feel so at home. If you need prayer or help they will do that Pray for you and help you. It is with us the care like Jesus we all get at it no matter who we are. Not about money. If not well or got problems they show extra care and contact you during the week to see how you are. It was nice Robin in your case to get the gift card. To show you someone cares about you. That would have been a nice surprise for you. People like that are the true Church not the building and that is what it is about. Plus knowing you are loved and if need help you will get it. If they can’t help you they will direct you to the right help. One time in the Church the Salvation Army that we go to now. I was not well I took a seizure in Church as I suffer them. They couldn’t have been better to me in helping me and being there for my Husband too. That is kindness as Jesus wants us to be and Church people who do that. I say Amen to that. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little Enniskillen Co.Fermanagh N.Ireland xx
Thank YOU Robin for your inspirational devotion.
Sending you end-of-summer JOY,
Lisa Wilt
Robin,
Recently a friend fell broke her foot. I went to KFC & got some food for her & hubby. Wasn’t sure if hubby could cook or not I wanted to love on them as they loved on me when my dad died. Often times I go out & buy nice small gifts. Two co-workers got hand lotion for their birthday. I’ve made homemade bread. My God given gift is encouragement. When I sense a need I act upon it. A young man at church just got a house. Off I go getting a Lowe’s gift card. My way of sharing God’s love.
Blessings 🙂
Thank you for this Robin!
You have a great friend!
I loved this…so much encouragement wrapped up in this one today!