Atom“An Encourager for Jesus”
9For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. 11Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
“When I was leaving Bygland congregation and moving to Vining,” Pastor Carl Anderson was telling me,” Don called me up one day and said, ‘Let’s have coffee.’” He was speaking of Don Danielson, Karen Bimberg’s father, who died suddenly of a stroke last week. “It was a bit of a surprise…Don was at Our Savior’s in East Grand Forks…but he’d been at a lot of services I had led over the years and Don just wanted to have a last cup of coffee…to encourage me.” Carl and I just happened to be having coffee last week at a Pastor’s gathering in Moorhead and were talking about Don’s funeral. For those of you who did not know him, Don was not a pastor, but he was a minister – a minister of encouragement greatly appreciated by all those who had the privilege of sharing time with him.
I myself did not know Don Danielson all that well, except that he was Karen’s Dad and that he would show up at least once a year in worship here at First Lutheran and Karen would twist his arm to sing for us (I don’t think she had to twist very hard) and he would, through his lovely, strong voice, bring the Good news in song. I can only imagine that this gift of song brought the same encouragement to many a wedding or funeral throughout his nearly eighty years of life.
Don’s ministry of encouragement was not only in the use of his own gifts, however. Don also encouraged others to use their gifts – particularly their musical gifts. We at first Lutheran experience that first-hand through his daughter, Karen. She “caught” the love her Dad had for music and with his encouragement made music her life’s calling both in the schools and here at the church. Karen was not the only one so encouraged. Reading Don’s life’s story last week made it apparent to me that Don must have encouraged countless others through the years, teaching music in East Grand Forks and leading the church choir at Our Savior’s for over 35 years. During that time and even through his retirement years, Don encouraged through involvement in various Music and Education associations and through “judging” music contests and festivals. In these contests and festivals he could stay connected to colleagues and to young people and to the music he loved. I can tell you from experience with my own children how influential “judges” can be in not only evaluating but also “cheering on” budding artists.
Even from my vantage point it is not hard to see that Don Danielson picked up on the “tenor” of Paul’s letter to the Thessalonian church. “Encourage one another and build each other up, even as you are doing.” My friend, Pastor Carl, certainly received that gift of encouragement from Don.
So, as you reflect over your cup of coffee this day, who has Jesus sent to encourage you? And to whom are you being sent as an encourager? May God bless the community as we answer our call!
Following the Risen Christ with you,
Pastor Wade
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