Writing and Journaling Challenge - 2026

February 2026 Writing and Journaling Challenge

Write about a close friend or family member and how they have helped you walk closer to Jesus.

This can be a long or as short as you like.

Thoughts On My Eldest Uncle

1 Timothy 4:12 ...be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Sometimes people affect our lives in ways they little know. These days people tend to talk a lot about the negative ways this happens. It can happen in a very good way too, even in ways that bring us closer to the Lord Jesus.

My Uncle Don was 39 when he got married, if I remember correctly. My Aunt Deb, whom he married, was around 29 at the time. They went to France as missionaries not too long after they were married and worked there in youth ministry for a few years - maybe two terms. When they returned to the U.S. my uncle attended seminary, and eventually they went into pastoral work, including church planting. He continued as a pastor for years and eventually worked in a prison ministry.

Through the prison ministry he led a young man to Christ who later became like a son to my Uncle Don and Aunt Deb. This young man married a distant cousin on my mom's side and they are working in youth ministry also. My uncle had the blessing of assisting and encouraging them in that work to the end of his life, and my aunt still does.

My Uncle Don and Aunt Deb did not know what a blessing and inspiration their story was to me personally. My uncle was the oldest of his siblings and the last to marry. I had the same experience and I was 38 when I got married. We also shared a desire to serve the Lord and to do the work He called us to, even when it didn't always fit with other people's expectations of us. I also was inspired by their marriage - their love and affection and respect for each other. I doubt that they realized how much their relationship influenced me and taught me to desire, and also helped me wait for, the marriage God wanted me to have.

My husband, Peter, and I do not have children of our own and have never felt led to adopt. I have struggled at times with the questions about what our old age will look like and how we will deal with the complexities of old age without younger adult children to assist us. Knowing that my uncle and aunt have followed the same path and that the Lord has cared so well for them has been a tremendous encouragement to me. Whether He chooses to give us an unofficially "adopted" child like He did my uncle and aunt, is not the point. The thing that I hold onto is that He took care of them and provided as He saw fit. He will for us too.

Seeing and hearing about their story has challenged me to put my hope in the Lord in a deeper and more meaningful way than I would have without their example. I am challenged and even corrected in my own life when the uncertainties of our situation assail me. I have been reminded on various occasions how tenderly and kindly our Almighty God has cared for my uncle and aunt, and equally importantly, how they rested in His will and let Him direct and give, or withhold, as He saw fit.

We little know how our lives may affect others in our family or among our friends in ways that push them closer to Christ. Our choices, our perseverance, our consistency in resting in the will of God for us may be the very thing that helps someone else keep trusting and following Jesus. It may be the catalyst the Holy Spirit uses that pulls them out of their own doubts and fears and helps them to walk by faith and not by sight.

God grant that our lives may be an example to someone else that will help them stay on the right path, not because we are so great or wise or special, but because we just kept going and trusting and walking with Jesus, even when the way was hard and lonely and uncertain. May our lives always point people to Jesus Christ, not just in word, but in deed as well - by consistent living over the long haul.

Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Philemon 4-7 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

Free February Journaling card.
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background and graphics by Mary Stephens
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