Encouragement

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more

as you see the Day drawing near.

Hebrews 10:23-25

            There wasn’t anything spectacular in the way she was doing her job. Just sweeping up litter and stray pieces of toilet paper. But as I stood at the sink to wash my hands in the restrooms at Walmart, I turned to the quiet cleaning woman and told her “thank you for keeping these restrooms so clean every day.” The look on her face was priceless. A huge smile spread across her gentle face. “Thank you,” she said as she bent to sweep the garbage into her dustpan.

            Encouragement. It can present itself as a kind word, a note of appreciation, a smile and a ‘thank you’, an expression of gratitude or a comment that leaves another person feeling better about themselves and what they do.

            Let’s be honest. When is the last time someone encouraged you? A day ago? A week, a month, a year, a century ago? Now let’s turn the tables. When is the last time you encouraged someone else? The cleaning lady at work or at the store, the worker at the lunch counter, your child’s teacher, your mail carrier, your local police, someone in your family, your co-worker or even your neighbor? Your son or your daughter?

            Why is it so hard to say ‘thank you’ or ‘you’re doing a really great job’? Criticism we get in abundance. But encouragement? Not so much.

            If there is one person in the Bible I’d like to resemble (other than Jesus, of course), it’s the Apostle Barnabas. His name was originally Joses, but the other Apostles gave him the nickname Barnabas, which means ‘Son of Encouragement’ (Acts 4:36). How’s that for a great moniker? And he would be known throughout the world and for years to come as “the one who brought encouragement to others.” It doesn’t get much better than that!

            Oh, how I would love to be nicknamed ‘Daughter of Encouragement’ (for you scholars, what would that be?). To be known as ‘the encourager’ by those whose lives I touch. To be the one who lifts others up when they’ve been knocked down, who cheers on those who are disheartened, who wrestles in prayer for those who see no hope, who emboldens the timid and gives courage those who are dismayed.

            Today, find an opportunity to say one kind word to someone who crosses your path. Your Sunday school teacher, the pianist at church who shows up faithfully for every meeting, the pastor who ministers to you each Sunday, the mother or father who raised you and loved you, the sibling who’s got your back, no matter what.

Just one kind word.

That’s all it takes.

About the author:

   I am the daughter of TEAM missionaries (The Evangelical Alliance Mission). I was raised in France, attended French schools, obtained my French Baccalaureate then attended Emmaus Bible College in Switzerland where I graduated with a degree in Bible and Theology.

   I now live in the Missouri Ozarks with my husband Len and my three sons, one of whom has been diagnosed with Asperger’s.

   I am a member of the Ozarks’ Chapter of American Christian Writers and a founding member of the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild.