We All Need It; We Should All Give It

Every person on the planet has a need to be encouraged. We all struggle with something – maybe it’s wondering if you’re able to do a task, if you’re making a difference for Christ, if you’re progressing in your spiritual life, or if you’re smart enough to go to college.

I have parents that have always given the gift of encouragement. I was the recipient of it again just this summer.

Recently when I visited them in their home, my dad was doing something he’s famous for – he was making popcorn, popped in an old popcorn maker they’ve had for years.  I sat at the bar counter watching him and while he carefully worked on layering in the melted butter he said,

“Bear (my family nickname), You’re doing a great job on your radio broadcasts.”

My mom piped up and said that he listens every Saturday afternoon.  My heart was touched and blessed by his care and his words of encouragement.

The following week when I went to the radio station to record, my father’s words were fresh on my ears.  I knew he was praying for me and I knew he was cheering me on!  It helped me to do this thing that is God’s assignment for which I feel so incapable!

I have a box full of encouragement treasures stored away in a box on a shelf – they are letters from my parents.  Some are handwritten and some were typed on the computer and printed off.  The means doesn’t matter – it’s the message that resonates in my heart any time I pull one out and reread it.

Recently I pulled one out of my box and then slipped it out of its envelope.  It was a whole page-long letter from my dad.  As I read his words, I was reminded again of how much his encouragement has meant to me all my years.  In the letter in my hands he had written about the work I’d done on my recently renovated bedroom.  Much work had gone into that project, and I remembered that hearing my perfectionist father say that it looked great, was a huge compliment!

Both my parents have cheered their girls on over the years with their words and their prayers.  Here I am a grandmother myself and I’m still thriving on their words that have invigorated me all my life.  From going to college states away, then teaching in a Christian school, marrying a pastor, and becoming a mother, their words have poured life into me. Encouragement is a gift we give in the form of words.  It has greater value than we could ever imagine!

I am so blessed to have so many in my life that encourage me – my husband, my daughters, a dear friend.  Wow.

The Lord reminds us how important it is that we give life-giving words to one another.  Consider these verses ~

Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop, but a good word maketh it glad.  Proverbs 12:25

 

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, Hebrews 10:24

 

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11

Parents, don’t underestimate the value of your words that can make your child’s heart glad.

Wives, don’t forget that if you aren’t encouraging your husband, another woman would be glad to.

Daughters, giving words of comfort to your parents can help them to face the difficulties of today with a stronger heart.

Friend, there might not be anyone else telling your girlfriend how grateful you are that she is in your life.

Who could use your encouragement today?  Pray and then when God brings someone to your mind, don’t delay to send some life-giving words their way!