Harold Keller / L’Observateur / September 30, 2000

Regardless of our age, occupation or position in life, we all need one thing to keep on keeping on, with enthusiasm. That one thing is encouragement.Without it, we feel unimportant. On the other hand, feeling too important canbe a problem. That’s when pride sets in and we think too highly of ourselves.One thing about God is that He’ll give you what you need, when you need it.

Just last week, for example, I was at the Shell station in Reserve paying for some gas. The young lady behind the counter said, “Mr. Keller, I really, reallyenjoy your articles! They are all good. (Even though I knew better, I began tothink the lady was right.) I felt good with the encouragement. In fact, toogood! I allowed pride to set in. Then God, being the God that He is, decided tobalance it out.

As I was pumping the gas, a car drove up opposite the pump I was using. Alady rolled down her window and smilingly said, “Hi, Mr. Kelly! You’re gettingfat in your old age!” She laughed so much that I enjoyed her humbling remark.

This only proves that God will give you what you need, when you need it.

Last Sunday morning, as I was about to enter the Shell station on Belle Terre Boulevard in LaPlace, I walked near this nice car and noticed a young man seated in it. I told him hello. He rolled down his window and I introducedmyself. “Mr. Keller, you don’t remember me! I’m Greg Clethen. Four yearsago, I was a client at Fountainebleu Treatment Center. I’ve been clean andsober ever since then. My wife is in the store. I always talk about you comingand sharing Jesus with us. I’m in a church now and serving God. I live andwork in St. Gabriel.” As we spoke, his wife came out of the store. Gregintroduced me to his lovely wife and she said, “He always talks about you.

What a coincidence that we should meet!” They were on their way to a Saints game and stopped for gas. I just happened to stop for a cold drink.Did that meeting encourage me? You bet it did! It was a confirmation that God’s Word never comes back void.

Unlike the first encouragement that I received last week, and allowed pride to creep in, the second encounter was humbling. It reminded me that I am only avessel being used to share the love, joy and salvation message of our Heavenly Father. Nothing is more exciting than sharing the Good News!I don’t remember what I told Greg four years ago at the treatment center, but that really doesn’t matter. This one thing I do know. God gave Greg whathe needed then, when he needed it.

HAROLD KELLER writes this column as part of his affiliation with the Get High on Life religious motivational group.

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