艾米莉．肯瓦得（Emily Kenward）走在英國布萊頓的薰衣草街上。她最近剛信主，現在她看待這條街的眼光已有不同。她注意到白天有許多住宅都拉上窗簾，儘管這一區老年人很多，但在街上卻很少見到年長者。這激發了她一個想法。

艾米莉找出布萊頓城裡年長者的住處，邀請他們參加一個下午茶會。應邀前來的人都訴說相似的故事。他們如今獨居，經常幾個月都沒有見到任何人，最渴望的就是能有訪客。

我們相信耶穌之後，對這世界及其需要的回應也會改變，帖撒羅尼迦的信徒就有這樣的轉變。他們歸向上帝（帖撒羅尼迦前書1章9節），生命得到更新，他們的信心也作了所有信徒的榜樣（6-7節）。使徒保羅特別提到他們「因信心所做的工夫」以及「因愛心所受的勞苦」（3節）。真實的信心感動他們積極服事，使耶穌得榮耀。

艾米莉在那個下午茶會所聽到的故事，深深觸動她的心，於是她創辦一個慈善機構，安排社工關心布萊頓的年長者。她記得有位女士一邊啜泣、一邊緊擁著她，滿心感謝，因終於有人看見和聽見她的需要。這項事工持續成長，激勵其他人效法。這不禁讓我想到，聖靈今天會感動你我，因為愛而願意為別人付出些什麼呢？

Emily Kenward walked down Lavender Street in Brighton, England. Having recently become a believer in Jesus, she now saw the street differently. She noticed how many homes had their curtains drawn in the daytime, and how few older people were about, despite the area’s high elderly population. It spurred an idea.

Emily found out where Brighton’s elderly lived and invited them to an afternoon tea. Those who came told a similar story. Now living alone, they often went months without seeing anyone. What they longed for, they said, was a visitor.

Believing in Jesus changes how we respond to the world and its needs. We see this happening to the Thessalonians. Having turned to God (1 Thessalonians 1:9), they had become a model of faith to others by their transformed lives (vv. 6-7). The apostle Paul noted their “work produced by faith” and their “labor prompted by love” (v. 3). True faith had moved them to acts of service that brought honor to Jesus.

Emily was so moved by what she heard at that afternoon tea that she started a charity linking Brighton’s elderly with volunteer visitors. She remembers one woman hugging her tightly, sobbing, grateful for finally feeling seen and heard. The work grew, inspiring others to do the same. It makes me wonder what labors prompted by love the Holy Spirit might inspire you and me to do today.