My husband and I met Marlon Smith and his wife Syretta in 2006 when we moved to the Charlotte, North Carolina, area from our hometown of Washington, DC. Since then, they have become good friends and business colleagues, and our relationship is blossoming.
Yesterday, we met over coffee for a few hours to discuss our goals for our marriages, our families and our businesses. About half way through our time together, we began to share some of the "real deal" challenges that couples face in today's stressful and economically challenging world, and how we might be able to work together to provide uplift and encouragement. At one point, Marlon said, we have to do this: "Let your misery become your ministry."
I totally did a double take. Let's face it. These are challenging times for many of us. But for some, it's a little more challenging than for others. If you see someone facing a situation that you have already overcome, why not reach out to them with a kind word or a helpful tip. When people are down, sometimes the best pick-me-up is just knowing that they are not alone — that they are not facing a situation that others have not already faced and overcome.
Question: Can you reach out to lift someone else up today? Have you ever let your misery be your ministry?
