After closing my bible I ask, “God, who can I encourage today”?
I wait.
Names pop to mind.
And I use my tools.
Facebook, text messages, emails, and yes, even snail mail!
Occasionally I drop off small gifts. Always, I try to smile. I talk to strangers, just ask my kids! I hug every opportunity I get, especially those in my church who are now widows.
I pray and ask God to wrap His comfort around the hurting.
I don’t say all this to toot a horn for myself. I say all this to spur on anyone reading to take time and encourage others everyday!
Why?
Because we all need and desire encouragement! Some days are tough. Some weeks are hard. Some months of sickness and despair last longer than we ever wanted.
While the news and the media report gloom and doom and the doctors call with disappointing diagnoses and marriages are suffering and children are dying we need each other to shine bright lights of encouragement.
And can I tell you something, when you are out there spreading joy and cheer, it gets contagious! It has a beautiful rippling effect. It is a spark that ignites and starts a beautiful fire.
We are not in this race alone! We are all out there running but not alone. Once while participating in a triathlon I was riding my bike and every time I passed someone I tried to say something positive. You’re doing great! Keep Going! You’ve got this! Later when I told my husband he said, “What? Why would you do that?”.
Well, I wanted to inspire them to keep going!
I wanted them to know I was cheering for them!
I wanted them to know they were not alone!
We need that, don’t we?
Sometime the strength God has poured into us is exactly what someone else needs poured into them to make it to the finish line. To make it through the next meal alone. To make it through the next chemo treatment. To make it passed the next hurdle in their day.
This week try
- Encouraging your family members with small notes taped to their bathroom mirror!
- Share funny, inspiring messages via text and email with several friends!
- Drop encouraging scripture cards on tables where you eat (they are very inexpensive at most book stores!)!
- Deliver a pot of soup to someone not feeling well!
- Write a card to a far off friend or missionary!
- Pray for people who just seems to really need encouragement!
- Smile often!
Today if you stopped by and need encouragement yourself can I write these next words just for you?
Friend, you are not alone. There is One who sees you, knows you and loves you! His name is Jesus. He went to a cross and hung to His death so that you could live freely! You may be burdened, lonely, hurt. But you don’t have to carry the load alone. Jesus says, “Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest (Matt 11:28)”.
Friend to friend, I encourage you to take His yoke and find rest and ENCOURAGEMENT! ~ Jodie
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30New International Version (NIV)
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Jodie,
What a great reminder to choose encouragement over despair at all the negative news..Thank you 🙂 visiting from Holley’s blog 🙂
Thanks for coming over! I’ll be sure to stop over at your place!
What sweet words. I needed them today. Feeling a little run down, not sad or whatever…. Just RUN DOWN… Like a five year old who just needs a nap and a hug from her Mama. I think I will call her tonight, she needs to be told how awesome she is. I know how my heart looks forward to the days when I will ( hopefully) be on the receiving ends of affirmation from my boys. Right now we are in the years where ” Mom doesn’t know anything”. I certainly remember those thoughts and years and that age… Ughhhh I would never want to go back there!! I sure could care less where the fountain of youth is. I’m drinking at the fountain of living water with a bunch of my wise and encouraging friends. I just love the story of you taking those precious seconds and wasting that precious breath you paced yourself with to speak a whisper of encouragement to your fellow athletes. I bet there’s a few that made it because of those words. Praying for you as you continue to be a light and encourager in our corner of the world. You bless me.
Lena- You spread light and joy! Take a moment in your day just for you! You deserve to be refreshed!
These are great ideas. Thank you for sharing.
I don’t know you, but I felt your smile as I read this! 🙂
Smiles are always present when someone is reading! Especially new friends!