Do you know what this is a picture of?
Encouragement!
What is encouragement? [en-kur-ij-muh nt] It is to stimulate by assistance or approval.
Last weekend a group of friends gathered to encourage me! It was a total jaw dropping shock surprise gathering. The reason for our time together was strictly to encourage me in a ministry the Lord has allowed me to do for Him. I can’t tell you how many tears I shed on that afternoon as those dear ladies shared and encouraged my heart, loved me, and gave touching gifts of appreciation.
Since that time with my friends, I have truly been stimulated and felt assisted from the backing they gave me! It refreshed my vigor in my ministry and has given me a new vision for the days ahead.
What ministry does someone do for which you are really thankful? Why not ask the Lord to give you a creative idea about how you could refresh them with your encouragement? At our time together, we shared a delicious lunch, they shared their appreciation with me and gave me precious gifts. Then we ended with a time of prayer.
Even if you did something on a much smaller scale, the receiver will be so thankful! Consider one of these ideas:
- Wrap a candy bar and giving it accompanied with a note.
- Send a hand-written card with your appreciation.
- Invite the person over for a meal or dessert and share your appreciation verbally.
- Take them out for ice cream or coffee and tell them what a blessing they’ve been to you.
- If they teach a class you attend, preach at your church, lead your choir or do anything else that involves a whole group of other people, let everyone go in and add a line or two on a card. Give it to them at your weekly gathering.
And let us consider how to stir up
one another to love and good works…
Hebrews 10:24
If the person you refresh with your encouragement is half as blessed as I have been from what I received recently, it will be the blessing of a lifetime!
Refresh someone with your encouragement!
Encourage your pastor with your presence in church on Sunday!
Stay refreshed,
I’m glad you were encouraged, because you have encouraged me so many times. I know I had a ton of fun and walked out of there thinking that I was blessed as well!
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Thank you. It WAS fun, wasn’t it?!
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What an encouragement you have been to so many people through your ministry, Denise! You have definitely had an impact in my life and I am so thankful for that. I’m so glad that you were encouraged by the sweet time that we had together last weekend. What a blessing that time was for all of us, but hopefully it was a blessing especially to you and that you know how much we appreciate you and what a blessing you are to all of us! Thank you, Denise, for allowing God to use you and your ministry to make a difference in so many lives! We love you!
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Thanks, Kellie. I am in awe of the opportunities the Lord gives us and how He even blesses us as we serve Him. Thank you for all your help and encouragement!
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What a sweet thing! I know you were blessed Denise. And thanks for the ideas. I try to write someone a card once a week and I love your idea of a candy bar with a note included!! My little grandson got the Almond Joy award in his class because he is full of joy and a friend to all. That made me think of other candy bars that could encourage people! My granddaughter told me she needed Smarties as she is a smartie. I think we need to work on humbleness!! Have a great weekend.
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Arlene, the idea of Almond Joy is great! The names of the candies themselves could truly be an encouragement! Then of course, a little chocolate wouldn’t hurt either! =)
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