God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure
to use them to help each other, passing on to others God’s many kinds of
blessings. Are you called to preach? Then preach as though God himself were
speaking through you. Are you called to help others? Do it with all the
strength and energy that God supplies so that God will be glorified through
Jesus Christ—to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.
As we were winding down our First Place 4 Health virtual session,
our leader Annie explained her idea for our celebration class, “I thought it
would be nice to celebrate each other. I’d like to compile statements from each
member about each other member to share in our class…thoughts of how you have
been touched, inspired, encouraged, what makes them special, or what God given
talent you see in them. I thought this would be fun and heartwarming
for our group.”
In keeping with our usual discipline, Annie chose a
Scripture for us to memorize this final week of the session, 1 Thessalonians
5:11: “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already
doing.”
I began typing my thoughts about each of the eleven women when an idea sparked. Could I do something more? What about a poem for each one?
Inspired by an activity from a long-ago Christmas party, I started with the same opening lines, “If you were a decoration hanging on my tree, this is the decoration I think you’d be.” I pondered over each lady, then completed the verse by entering a decoration that I hoped encapsulated her special characteristics. For our lovely golden-haired leader who always exudes the joy of the Lord, I wrote:
You would be a bright gold star
Hanging on the highest limb
To lead and point
Our group to Him
