With Thanksgiving, then, can we render to God for you, for all the joy we feel on your account before God? Night and day we pray beyond measure to see you in person and to remedy the deficiencies of your faith. Now may God himself, our Father, and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we have for you, so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones.

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

Paul writes that he is thankful for the Thessalonians and filled with love for them. He prays that he will be able to come in person to see them so he can remedy their deficiencies in faith. This sounds a bit condescending, but Paul does not intend to condescend.  Rather, he wants to come to serve them and give them what they need to grow in faith.

God places people in our lives who challenge us to grow and be the best version of ourselves. They are people who see greater potential in us than we even see in ourselves. They call out the best in us. Often, they are coaches or teachers but they can be friends or family.

Thank God today for someone who challenges or has challenged you to grow and push yourself. After your prayer, write an e-mail, a text, or an actual letter to let him or her know about your prayer of gratitude.