From Thankful to Patient Hope - Benjamin Smith

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” 

Psalm 107:1 (NKJV)

As we leave the season of Thanksgiving and enter into the season of Advent, this verse from Psalm 107 has been in my thoughts a lot. As I look back at this past year, I realize that I have grown up, both physically and spiritually, and in more ways than one, I can thank my brothers and sisters in Christ at the ACF.

I am thankful that God has placed me in the ACF community during my time at Louisiana Tech. He has used this place of caring to reveal more of his mercy towards me through people showing patience and forgiveness towards each other. One way that I have learned to forgive better is through the act of talking to the person or persons with whom I am having trouble instead of talking at them. I have been able to show God’s mercies to others, both those at ACF and the strangers within Tech’s campus, because of the mercies that those at ACF have shown me through their love for one another, even and especially when conflicts arise.

God has also been merciful to me and to everyone at ACF through the inbringing of freshmen who are on fire for the Lord and a beacon of hope to everyone they interact with. With God’s continuing mercies towards us, and his hand by our side, we can and should continue to be thankful to Him always, and be joyous for all that we may endure for the sake of our Lord.

As we enter into this season of the expectation of Christ’s coming, I will be content and happy to be able to be beside these people who have taken me in as one of their own and taught me many life skills, and then be able to go out and share the good news with anyone and everyone that the Lord puts in my path.

Go then, be the King’s right arm. Do the work of our Lord and Savior.

LORD, Keep me centered on your kingdom. 
LORD, Keep me focused in your work. 
LORD, Keep me learning your truth. 
LORD, Keep me serving those you love.

Amen.

Benjamin Smith is a sophomore from Richmond, TX majoring in Business Administration. A member of this year’s Discipleship Team, we are so grateful for his presence and the blessing he is to our ministry at ACF. Benjamin enjoys annoying people (AKA Austin and Tayt), going for walks, having conversations, and eating good food. We look forward to the ways God will continue to move in his life!