Phil shares his experience being...
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Phil shares his experience being away from home for the first time while attending a state
university. Phil was fortunate to grow up with a close-knit family. His parents were
always there for him, attending special programs at his school. His grandparents lived on
the same road in their farming community. Phil was also the first member of his family to
attend college.
Phil realized it would be a big step leaving the only home he ever knew. Tears were shed the day he left. His parents supported him in this new venture. The university was just over 100 miles away from his home.
While he knew it would be an adjustment, he never anticipated the anguish that he would receive from his classmates. His roommate came from a broken home, where his parents did not care what he did. As a result he did things that Phil considered wrong. Phil stood by his beliefs much to the ridicule of others.
The first months were the most difficult. One Sunday morning, Phil's mother shared in worship that her son was struggling. Many of the members sent him cards and notes of encouragement, which helped to brighten his overall outlook.
One of the letters came from someone in church who told him how lucky he was to have such a great family. Obviously, some of his classmates did not have such a positive experience with their families. That word of encouragement completely changed Phil's outlook. Never underestimate the power of an encouraging word.
The apostle Paul, in writing to the Thessalonians, offered encouragement, "For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you."
Phil realized it would be a big step leaving the only home he ever knew. Tears were shed the day he left. His parents supported him in this new venture. The university was just over 100 miles away from his home.
While he knew it would be an adjustment, he never anticipated the anguish that he would receive from his classmates. His roommate came from a broken home, where his parents did not care what he did. As a result he did things that Phil considered wrong. Phil stood by his beliefs much to the ridicule of others.
The first months were the most difficult. One Sunday morning, Phil's mother shared in worship that her son was struggling. Many of the members sent him cards and notes of encouragement, which helped to brighten his overall outlook.
One of the letters came from someone in church who told him how lucky he was to have such a great family. Obviously, some of his classmates did not have such a positive experience with their families. That word of encouragement completely changed Phil's outlook. Never underestimate the power of an encouraging word.
The apostle Paul, in writing to the Thessalonians, offered encouragement, "For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you."
