Be An Encourager

” Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Most of the time, I am walking around thinking about how horrible of a Mom and Wife I am. I am always thinking about my failures and short comings and how my family deserves better and how hopefully, I have not ruined my children.

I don’t think much of myself. I never have really. I am not sure if that is because of the lack of affirmation and affection growing up in a family where that wasn’t practiced regularly or a feeling that had been developed and molded by a social circle that didn’t really appreciate peoples differences. Either way, lets just say I have never really felt that I measured up or was good enough.

This is not a pity party and I am NOT trying to get a whole bunch of you to tell me how great you think I am. I mean, you can if you want, but that is not the point of this post. I am telling you this so that you have a better understanding of who I am and the struggles I have.

The point is, there may be other like me. Or, maybe you’re not like me but you are having a day like me…

Yesterday, I ran into someone that I know and see from time to time. We were chatting and he says to me; “Yeah, my wife always talks about you and how you are a perfect example of how God can change someone’s life around.  You are a great Mother and…”

I interrupted him.

“What? Really? Thank you for that encouragement because that is not how I feel- at all.”

He paused.

“Well, you are.”

{Huh. Well that is interesting. You mean, your wife doesn’t think I am a terrible Mother too? Well that’s good!}

This brief conversation just made my day. Wow. Thank you for that!

 For me, it was a moment where I stopped to thank God that others could see how He is working in me, even when I can’t see him. And, I thanked Him for the encouragement because when I am stuck in this rut of thinking I am just THE WORST, He (God) shows me that He is still there for me even when I am not seeing him.

Now, this post you may not be able to relate to or understand because you don’t have a relationship with God like I do, but what you can relate to, is that EVERYONE needs some encouragement. The Bible says “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” (Prov 17:22). There is 100% someone out there today who could use some encouragement. There is someone who needs to hear that they are doing a good job and someone that needs to hear that their hard work is paying off and you appreciate it.

Whether it is the lady in the check-out line at the Grocery store, a teacher, a weary Mom at the park, your CHILDREN, your HUSBAND… whoever it is… you can be the medicine that their heart needs. YOU can be an encourager.

So, my challenge to you today is to encourage someone today. And tomorrow. Once a day try to think of a way that you can encourage someone and build them up. Joy is infectious, lets spread joy together!

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Hebrews 3:13