Month: March 2026

Encouragement in a Car Dealership

A few Mondays back, I trudged to the car dealership for an oil change and some required maintenance.  I do not relish car-related tasks, but I obliged, doing my part to protect the car warranty.  As I have experienced before, waiting areas can provide blog material and the dealership lobby was no exception!

I have sat in some grungy auto shop waiting areas over the years; torn fake leather seats, burnt coffee on a hot plate in the corner, a crummy show blaring on the TV, all in an exhaust scented anteroom!  But, these days, car businesses are upping their game, maybe as they up their prices.  Furniture is new and stylish, a fancy coffee machine offers free specialty drinks next to a snack basket, and greenery brightens the feel and the air.  One might actually enjoy the first hour of waiting.

This is similar to the waiting area where I sat. Caffia.com markets their coffee machines to dealerships.

I sat in the upscale dealership waiting area with my nice hot coffee and books I’d brought.  I got a few things done.  Others in the waiting area dozed or looked at their phone.  One guy, about my age, was on the phone discussing a construction project.  His phone conversation ended and then a dealership employee came into the waiting room and began chatting with him.  They seemed to know each other personally.  The friendly conversation lasted for quite a few minutes and at one point I heard them talking about “The Eagles,” singer Glenn Frey, and the new vocalist, Frey’s son; my husband and I had recently had the same conversation.

Eventually the dealership guy had to return to his job there, and in a parting salutation I heard him say, “Keep the faith.”  His friend responded affirmatively then added, “But it’s hard.”  From my observation overhearing a customer in a car dealership lobby, his answer was honest and from the heart and without self-pity but he apparently needed that word of encouragement.

I have no idea if the dealership guy meant his comment in a spiritual way.  He might have just meant, “Hang in there, buddy.”  Whatever the meaning, I think his intent was genuine encouragement.  We all need encouragement.  We need it often.  We need to offer it.   Encouraging each other spiritually is imperative … because keeping the faith is hard.  Hebrews 3 v 13 tells us, “Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”  No sooner had this verse come to my mind for this blog post than it appeared in a Bible study book I’m working through.  The study’s author is blind and she comically commented, “Wait, let me check my braille watch.  Yep, today is still called today.” *  This Easter week let’s encourage one another.  Encourage the relative who is thinking of skipping the Easter service.  Encourage the staff and volunteers at church who will have a very busy week.  Encourage your spouse or friend who has a lot to do, getting ready for company.  Encourage those who must work holidays.  Who will you encourage and how?  I’ve just shared some of my options.

* Rothschild, Jennifer.  Psalm 23 The Shepherd With Me.  Lifeway Press, 2025.

And the Oscar Goes To

I first heard about the animated film “Forevergreen” when a good friend posted that his son contributed to the making of a film nominated for an Academy Award.  “Forevergreen” was a nominee in for “Best Animated Short Film” in this year’s Academy Awards.  Later, I learned more about the film on my ‘go to’ news podcast, “The World and Everything In It,” through a news item (February 27 wng.org), followed by a full-length special feature with interviews.

“Forevergreen” is the creation of Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy Spears.  These two friends, both directors and guys who tell stories, teamed up on a concept of a story that pointed to the real redemptive story of the Bible, through Jesus Christ.  Set in a forest, featuring an orphaned bear, the story exposes our spiritual need, and frequently our rejection of the Answer.

From the outset, the project was a labor of love, inspiration, ministry and sweat.  The directors recruited a crew of over two hundred highly skilled volunteers, who had the passion and commitment to produce the film.  Among the production crew was our friend’s son; a kid who grew up around our kids.  He excelled in his teens in computer design.  He majored in Film Studies in college, landed in California with a well-known studio, and has worked on several well-known animated movies.  At one point, the studio assigned him to a film promoting ideas contrary to Biblical truth.  He asked to be reassigned but instead he was furloughed. His career in animation continues successfully and he is listed as “Animation Lead” in the “Forevergreen” credits.

You can enjoy this film online or in an upcoming Roadside Attractions in theaters.

“Forevergreen” did not win the Oscar last night but what an honor, an achievement of the highest degree, to be a nominee, for excellence “in craft” as Engelhardt and Spears say, in concept, production and PR, music and … animation!  Well done, Brendan and all the production crew!   All of you demonstrated what it means to invest your talents for the Gospel.

Closing in Scripture is never the hard part in my writing.  At church yesterday, we looked at 2 Timothy 2 v 21.  Returning to the passage this morning, I realized how aptly it described the “Forevergreen” creative team:  “… (those) will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.”