This week we’re finishing up our series in Philippians.

I am a part of a team of engineers at a very large company. Because I’ve been around the block a few

times, I often find myself acting as an unofficial mentor or trainer for new employees.

Interacting with newer (and much younger) engineers can be simultaneously delightful and

exasperating. I delight in their wide-eyed eagerness to learn and do a good job as they launch their

careers. But sometimes I get tired of having to explain certain concepts or procedures again. Didn’t I just

teach them how to do this last month? No, that was the other person, and this is a new person who’s

never seen this before.

Recently we had an engineer transfer to another team within our company, and he sent me a very

thoughtful email thanking me for my (small) role in helping him succeed. Please know I’m not bragging

on myself here - I’m bragging on him for being thoughtful. His note was a simple thank you, but the

gesture made my week.

And then what I discovered was that for the next several days, teaching young engineers was much less

exasperating than it had been before I got his note. That encouragement I received helped me re-

connect to the bigger picture. I wasn’t just teaching yet another engineer how to apply yet another

engineering principle to yet another customer solution – I was helping launch a hopefully decades long

career of an eager and appreciative co-worker. His thank you renewed my energy.

The Philippian church renewed their care for Paul, and he made it a point to thank them and tell him it

made him rejoice in the Lord:

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact,

concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. (Philippians 4:10 HCSB)

We all have people in our lives who play varying roles in enhancing our relationship with Jesus. Is there

somebody today we should call, write, or text a simple word of encouragement? Maybe it’s somebody

you’ve never met but has a positive influence on you through social media or a podcast, and you can

post a simple positive comment of thanks that others will see.

Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account. (Philippians 4:17 HCSB)

By Mark Stuart



Mark is the husband of Laura, father of Shelby and Jacob, and father-in-law of Bailey.