I was thinking the other day (I do that from time to time). I started to drift off into a nice, little, mental vacation as I stared out the window. There’s a cute little park across the street and I like to people-watch as they walk their dogs & don’t pick up after them.
Side note: To the lady with the Saint Bernard the size of a horse- I see the evidence your dog leaves behind and come spring when the snow melts, you’ll be revealed for the “fake picker upper” you really are. PS. You’re jacket is fantastic. I’ve been looking for a long one like that. You look fabulous. Love, Heather
Ok, back to my point. As I was daydreaming, I began to pray and ask God for some encouragement. I didn’t need anything life-altering, just a word of encouragement from someone. Or perhaps a love note in the mail. Those are always fun. So as I started to go on with my day, I felt God move in my heart. And as much as I had desired encouragement for myself just moments before, I felt the need to encourage someone else. So as I began to think of all the lovely ladies in my life that I would just love to encourage, I knew that God wanted me to encourage someone who wasn’t in my “best friend circle”. You know who I’m talking about. The lady that you’re not necessarily “close to”; or perhaps, the one that you’d prefer to say hi to & that’s all. Anything above that, would just be...awkward. Besides, we don’t know about her life well enough to personally take the time to pray for & encourage her, right?
Ohhhh, how WRONG I can be. She is loved! Just as you are. Just as I am. We are all equally precious in His sight. So guess what? As daughters of the Most High, it is our responsibility to love on her, encourage her, but most importantly, show His love to her. His unconditional, pure, passionate love.
Romans 12:6-9 says, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement”.
I began to feel a little anxiety set in as I was typing out the note to her. How was she going to respond to this? Was she going to think I was weird? I hadn’t talked to her in literally a year. After about line 5 of this note, I realized how ridiculous I was being. Whenever someone encourages me, that’s how I respond... “WHAT? Why would you tell me how great you think I am? You think I’m WHAT!? Amazing?? And you love me?? Gosh. Keep those thoughts to yourself next time!” The more I wrote, the more I began to really admire and love her. Which resulted in me wanting to write more. Which made me love her more. Which...ya know.
As I typed out the last line of the note, I was so excited to send it to her. It wasn’t anything super-deep, I just typed what flowed out. I signed it and hit ‘send’.
Within the hour, I received a message back from her. Her reply started, “You’re not going to believe this, but I was just praying that God would encourage me today.” Oh, sister. I believe it.
Our God is so incredible like that. He’s not only holding the entire universe together, He LOVES to encourage you. He loves to pour His love and grace on you. You are His treasure and the “little things” in your life are so important to Him. I was more encouraged that day by GIVING out encouragement. As great as a love note would have been, her response made my heart leap in my chest. It showed me how personal God is. And how loving and caring He is.
I love this verse. Philemon 1:7, “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.”
So if I may, could I suggest we intentionally refresh the heart of at least one woman this week? And make it interesting; encourage a woman that you haven’t talk to in a while or someone you don’t know that well. They are going to be so surprised and blessed. Let’s pray for guidance on how to encourage her, and just do it! Whether it’s a note in the mail, an email, a flower, a coffee date or a verse written out & given to her; let’s lift up that woman and show her how passionate God is about her. Don’t worry about wording everything perfectly. These are not just your words, this will be a love note from her Father.
By the way, YOU’RE fantastic. You sincerely bless me & have touched my heart. And I’m absolutely positive that you’re beautiful heart is going to greatly impact the people in your life this week.
I am praying for you. And I declare Him faithful!
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