Everyday Eva

Several months ago, I received a call from Eva Pilgrim, the local TV personality from Fox News – Channel 59 here in Central Indiana. Apparently, she was going to do a story about the financial hardships that many people are dealing with, and she asked if I would do an interview for broadcast that evening, as an expert in the field of financial counseling. The piece came off fine, and Eva and I had a chance to spend a little time discussing jobs, career transition and faith.

Several weeks later, Eva called me again, and we ended up doing a second story together about the unemployed, and the struggles people face in career transition. During the filming, I had time to learn more about Eva’s past, and found out that she is quite accomplished. She plays the violin, and supported herself traveling about Europe by doing concerts. She also thought about being a doctor, but really loves the broadcast industry; and to be perfectly honest, she has quite the personality for it.

Among all the things I learned, two things really resonated with me – that she has a strong faith, and that she believes she has been given a mandate to assist young women who are trying to succeed in the business world. Because Eva shared with me that there are too many young ladies who do not know how to dress professionally in today’s office environment – and she is right. So, she came up with a great idea – to create a blog, www.everydayeva.blogspot.com, where she could photograph her own outfit every day, and then publish a post on what she is wearing, the cost of the items, and where she bought each part of her outfit. It has really turned into quite a hit – even Janet and our two daughters love to go out on the net and see what Eva is wearing for the day. I encourage you to check it out!

Anyway, back to my story. Eva mentioned that with all my experience in career transition, I should consider writing a book – which has been mentioned to me before; but to me, that is like trying to eat an elephant – even one bite at a time, it is a daunting task. So she suggested a blog – and you guessed it; she was one of the first people to really encourage me to do this. Another friend of mine, Ron, also brought it up, as did Dave, and and then three more people within two days. I guess I considered it a confirmation from fellow Christians that the Lord had a new task for me to do. As I offered the idea up to God, I really felt that that a faith-based blog, something that would provide encouragement to Christians and seekers alike, may be my next assignment. And even though I did not know how often I would post, you know by now, if you have been following TBTB, that I currently feel compelled to write a message of encouragement, or hope, with Scripture, each day. Now that is not a commitment on my part, but many of you have encouraged me to keep it up – kind of like Eva does with her posts.

So there you have it – a short story about how this blog came to be. And since we have launched, you guys have been great about spreading the Word – and I have already been blessed beyond my wildest imagination. But we, as Christians, are only getting started. For we are told by Luke, in Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Hopefully, with your participation and encouragement, Christians and seekers throughout the world will receive news of God’s grace and love for them, and we, as a body, will being fulfilling one of God’s greatest desires – to see us reach people for Him.

And so this all started with a suggestion by Eva – because she has a heart to help others. In closing tonight, I am reminded of Paul’s comments about a member of his church, who we are told about in Romans 16:2, “I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me.” Thanks, Eva! And may God bless us for our effort, each and every one.