I am thankful for the assistance God has provided me through friends. Many friends have served as mentors, coaches, and personal advisors. I am grateful for each precious friend and the contributions they have made in my life. These men and women have served as role models, helping me to learn and to grow, supporting me in good times and in bad.

The connection point for these beautiful relationships has often been the workplace. Friendships started there have flourished into deep and lasting relationships that have been a source of comfort, strength, and encouragement, as well as guidance.

With a sudden realization of how many great mentors God has provided me, I recently began to wonder…

When will I not need so much help, God?

Never —was the clear, firm response. Just one word; God did not need to elaborate. In my heart, I already knew this was the right answer.

God created us to need each other. God works through us. His design for us is to lean on each other. We are not supposed to walk the road of life alone. We are supposed to reach out to each other, giving and receiving love. God’s design was deliberate and purposeful—the plan allowing God to work through us.

When you see the outstretched hand of a friend, don’t hesitate to reach back; it is God’s hand reaching toward you.

Many people spend the majority of their hours in the workplace. What better place might there be to interact and connect, to give and receive encouragement? Work demands and stress are high. We need each other in the workplace. We need to see God’s hand at work.

Reach out to another in your office today and offer a few words of encouragement. Take the hand you see outstretched in your direction. It’s God’s hand reaching out to touch you.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Thank you, my friends. Your love and support mean the world to me. I pray God richly blesses you.