Words Of Encouragement To Start The Day ( Thursday 12/18/08)

The Encourager In Us All...

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (Amplified Bible)
11) Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing.

Today a woman walked up for me to help her, and as she began to speak she was very apologetic, about the amount of things she needed done. I told her not to worry, for it was all apart of a days work and that it was my pleasure to help her. She went on to explain that she had been the care giver for her mother and she had been handling all of her affairs, and I replied "what an honor that all your siblings entrust you with this and that you can honor your mother with this while you have her." At that point her face sadden and she looked as if she would cry, she said in a whisper "I just lost my mom, recently, and it it still so fresh and I miss her so much." I looked at her and expressed my deepest sorrow and sympathy for her. She apologized again and said "I guess I gave you more than you ever wanted to know." I told her, "I believe God places us in places for a reason, and I have a heart and an ear to hear," for that is what I was here for as well. She reiterated the fact that she missed her mom so much. I began to encourage her to remember all the good that her mother had given her and left with with. And that her mother was still with her. She thanked me for taking the time with and giving her the kindness and care that I had. I told I only did for her what I would want someone to do for me, if I needed it.

How many opportunities during the course of our day are we afforded to encourage someone we may encounter? How many times have we missed God using us to encourage someone in need because we were stuck in the midst of our own circumstances? Did you know that your words could be life to someone, they could be the lift or the encouragement to someone to make it one more day, one more hour, one more moment, one more step? If only we would see past how bad our day is, or how rough our life is to extend ourselves to be a blessing to someone else. God has given us all the ability to see others at the point of their need and encourage them to live or not to give up. Did you realize your smile could be all the encouragement that someone would need to know that someone cares?

Today as you go to work, or where ever you find yourself in the course of the day, ask God to help you to seize the opportunities to be a blessing and an encouragement to those you encounter. Whether you offer a smile, a word of encouragement, a cup of coffee or a warm coat, do it with God's love out in front. Let the encourager that lives in you be heard and seen, for you may be the person that keeps a brother or sister from giving up or going under!