The Encourager, Mr. Tom Smith (1943-2011)

A couple of weeks back, I attended the memorial service for Mr. Tom Smith. Person after person stood up and told stories about Tom's sense of humor and his servant heart. It was a particularly sad day for me because Tom was a huge supporter of The Marriage Show. He and his wife Gail were and are ongoing encouragers of our mission to make marriages stronger. And that's what I'll remember most about Tom. He was overflowing with encouragement. 

The last time I spoke to Tom was about 6 weeks ago. I talked to him on the phone for 30 minutes and my goal was to see how he was feeling and to tell him thank you for all of his support. I spent about 2 minutes talking and he used the other 28 minutes encouraging me and boasting about the work that God is going to do through the ministry to help marriages. By the time the conversation ended, I literally felt like I could shoot through the roof. I found myself, that night, praying that God's will be done but also that Tom's words would come true. His encouragement became my prayer.

People need that kind of encouragement in their lives. I sure do. Tom was one of a handful of people (Isaac Nadeau, Steve DeMoor, Dr. Mark Beeson, Pastor Isaac Hunter, and others) who go out of their way to speak, big inspiring words into my life. What a difference people like that make. I want to be like Tom.

On a side note, another thing that I love about Tom and Gail is their son, Bob. Bob is the lead guitarist for Wed Zeppelin (The Marriage Show band). He has been sharing his immense talent with the show for years. Even before he got engaged to his fiancee Lisa, he used his single-man, servant's heart to help build marriages. What a testament to Tom and Gail! Some might say that Bob's pre-marriage participation in the band is evidence that he was looking for his soulmate. I told him, like I do everyone, that The Marriage Show is no place to meet the ladies. I know that Bob's true motivation was and is to help the show and the local church. Thank you Bob!

I am sad that I've lost one of our biggest, vocal supports. I am sad for Tom's family. But I am beyond happy for Tom. He is where I want to be. With Jesus. And I know that I will see Tom again, and I can't wait to hear his words of encouragement. Words that I will never forget and pray come true.