Are You An Encourager?

A few weeks after surgery I had lunch with my friend, Patrishia Probasco.  She is loads of fun and a great inspiration. I love friends like this. She oozes the love of Jesus to everyone--including the waitresses and busboys--and she encourages me by her example to reach out to others.

Stop and think about this past week in your life: Has someone encouraged you?

•  How did the encouragement you received make you feel?  Did  it motivate you to try something you didn't think you could do?  Did it give you fresh courage to keep trusting God when you wondered how to keep going? 

          I was encouraged at the Oregon Christian Writers' conference two weeks ago.  I summoned up my courage to show the first chapter of a new book to an editor who spares no-one!  Knowing I was there to learn, I made myself risk feeling like a failure and show him what I had written.   He was sooo positive!  And I was sooo encouraged! 

It's great to receive encouragement, but how have you encouraged some else this week? 

Remember how it makes you feel, the hope and fresh strength it gives you, and become an intentional encourager.  Notice I said intentional, NOT insincere!  Here's some ways to do this:

• Practice looking around for someone on their own, whether at church, a party, or in your neighborhood.  Intentionally go up to them and introduce yourself.  Think of a few questions to ask that are non-intrusive but allow them to share about themselves.
• Have you noticed that sales people always compliment you for something you're wearing?  How about complimenting five people every day--I love your perfume, personality, cute shoes, scarf, hairstyle?
• Meet a practical need--offer to bring a meal, collect mail, run an errand.
• Pick up little gifts and give them away as expressions of love and appreciation.
• Write notes (I guess email is okay--sort of!). Maybe give an hour of your time to just listen.

All these ways to encourage are simple, easy, and consume little time--but the benefits are enormous.  Think of how God encourages you. Ask Him how to sincerely encourage others, then do it! 

Question: How do you encourage others?  Is it something you do intentionally? Share what you do -- and encourage all of us.

POPPY