Encouragement Comes in Threes

This past week I had the joyous opportunity to spend time with all three of my granddaughters. All are under the age of three, and quite active! What a joy it was for me to play and talk and walk with them as they discover so much newness in God's world.

As I watch them and study their developing personalities, it's clear that all three are distinctly different in the way they approach life. They are also distinctly different in the way they encourage. Yes, I said encourage. (It seems I never noticed it at this age in my own children, but they say that grandparents are much more perceptive in the second round of child-rearing - I sure hope "they" are right!)

Here's a quick overview of the way my granddaughters encouraged me this week. Miss A. is all smiles. When you walk into the room, she flashes the cutest, cuddliest smile in your direction. Miss B. wants to engage in activities that are important to the person she's spending time with. And Miss C. looks you right in the eye, reads your mood, and then lovingly pats you on the shoulder or face.

So, what's the point of all this talk about my granddaughters (I know, you thought I'd never get on with it!) I believe the point is that God has gifted each one of us with a personality that is distinct to the way we encourage. Some of us are great at hospitality, while others are wonderful at picking up the tab for a dinner out. Some of us have great penmanship and love to write letters. For others of us, it's a chore to pick up a card, sign our name, stamp it, and get it to the mailbox! Others have the gift of mercy and compassion, and often visit those in the hospitals or nursing homes. Others have the gift of gab and love to pick up the phone and check in with those in their circle of friends. Still others are great at hugs and pats on the back, and spending time with friends engaging in activities they love.

The apostle Paul understood that all of us are different. In Ephesians 4:11-13 he writes: And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

I guess I told you my story and shared Paul's words to point out that each of you is gifted in the way you encourage. Don't allow yourself to be pressed into the world's expectations, but to listen to the Holy Spirit - let Him tell you the best way to encourage. You'll be a lot happier because you'll be doing it the way God intended, not according to another's rules or methods.

I hope there is a little person in your life to encourage you - their innocence will keep you honest to your own calling.

- author, Cindy Daniels

How has God equipped you to encourage?

Today I will Speak Words of Encouragement

There are so many hurts that circumstances and the world inflict upon us, we need the constant reinforcement of encouragement. - Billy Graham

Encouragement can actually inflate a deflated attitude because it fills us with hope. - Barbara Johnson

What words will you speak today? What words have you already spoken that you wish you hadn't? Each new hour is an opportunity for taking inventory around the words that we say. Maybe it's a tone, a word, or a look that we need to keep in check. What was the intended message? Willfully hurtful or encouraging? Pleasant or ugly?

Do I have it all figured out? Do I still speak hurtful words that I'll never get back? Absolutely! I'm not yet the person I'd like to be, but I spend each day asking God to mold me into the insturment He'd like me to be.

Today, I have a new opportunity to consciously think about what I'm about to say. Today, I will go out of my way to say something kind or complimentary. Today, I will bite my tongue before I spew ugly words. Then, today will become tomorow, and tomorrow will become next week, and next week the rest of my life. Gotta start somewhere, right!

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt. - Colossians 4:6

- author, Cindy Daniels

What things do you do to keep your words gracious?

God's Personal Picture of Encouragement

Is there anything more encouraging than seeing God's hand-painted landscape? There's just something about the springtime with its lush green trees and their smatterings of colorful blossoms. Spring in the Midwest this year has been especially chilly and colorful. The cool temperatures have allowed the trees, bushes and plant blooms to linger in beauty and fragrance (sorry for those of you suffering with pesky spring allergies.)

God in all of his wisdom knew to place refreshing creations all around us. He knew that the daily grind would at times discourage us. Being the loving Father that He is, He lavishes us with beautiful things. And, these marvelous creations don't cost us a dime!

Take a moment today to breathe in what God has placed in your pathway. Take five minutes from your labor to walk around your yard, your neighborhood or a park observing His personal touch, yes, even if it's raining! Take time to thank Him for this quiet moment of recreation. If you had been the only person he ever created, he still would have painted His masterpieces.

Luke 12:27 - Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

Here is a picture of some beautiful flowers God has placed in our garden. I'm especially thankful for my husband who lovingly oversees the watering and weeding of the flower gardens!

- author, Cindy Daniels

What have you recently witnessed in God's creation that encouraged you personally?

Everything I Ever Learned About Encouragement, I Learned From a Woodchuck?

I recently spent a couple of days with my coworkers at a State Park. For those of you who enjoy state park facilities, I highly recommend them for team events. The purpose of the off-site was for corporate team building. After a couple of days of intense team activity, I was ready to hide away in my room to decompress. As I rested in my private room trying to sort out the events of the day, I stepped outside onto my small balcony. The weather was very hot and humid. I was about to return into the coolness of my room, when my eye caught several woodchucks merrily walking between the banks of the lake and my small porch. To say the least, I was surprised by their boldness. These guys were as tame as animals I have seen while visiting a children's petting zoo. One of these little critters seemed to be their leader. He would pace back and forth waiting for the next morsel of food to drop from the balconies above. However, he would not scurry to be the first one to partake. There seemed to be some kind of pecking order among the troops. Each took his turn. It was fascinating to watch.

Though it may sound simplistic, I learned a lesson from those woodchucks. I began to think about their thoughtfulness as they shared the morsels of food the sky provided them. They had no idea when the next goldfish cracker would fall from the sky, yet they seemed content to let the next little guy in line enjoy his feast. I began to wonder how many times I demand my own way because I believe I deserve the good thing falling on me? After all, I've worked hard to be a good citizen, looked out for others, worked hard on the job, and been faithful to my Lord. Then I wondered, do any of us stop long enough to allow others their turn before hogging all of it for ourselves? Scripture tells us that we ought not to think more highly of ourselves than of others. But, do we ever step away from our blessing long enough to put God's words into action?

Well, those darling little woodchucks continued to challenge my thinking. What good thing could I give up this week so that someone else might have his or her turn? Or, maybe what can I provide for someone else, from my balcony, when someone I know needs a morsel from my already abundantly blessed plate? Those little fellers certainly made me think about how many times I look up toward the sky waiting for my next morsel. Maybe the next time I should step aside and let someone else benefit from the fallout.

It's good to get away every once in a while, cause if we don't,we might just miss learning the things a woodchuck might teach us. And, as for my coworkers? They taught me valuable lessons too about how to be a better team player. All in all, my few days away from the norm refreshed me. Maybe it's time you stepped out of your norm and listened to someone or something other than yourself. Goldfish crackers fall from the balconies above us every day. It's up to us to look up every once in a while, step back, and let the next guy have his turn. Doing so will refresh you!

- author, Cindy Daniels

When was the last last time goldfish crackers (metaphor for blessings) fell from a balcony above you? How did you use it (them) to encourage someone else?