Liberal Encouragement

Mark Twain once said, “I can live two months on one good compliment.”

I believe most people need our praise and smiles and positive words. Life is difficult. It is good for us all to be liberal with encouragement and to be on the lookout for opportunities to lift someone’s spirits. I am truly thankful for encouraging words.

I know a woman in our church who has a ministry of affirmation. She is always writing affirming notes. Let me just say, that as a pastor, we get a lot of negative notes, e-mails and comments. Every week. (Especially toward Brian who is usually speaking–most of you would not even believe the level of some of the negative comments he gets.) It is nice to get some positive encouragement.

I know I’ve saved some of the positive notes I’ve received over the years years!  Sometimes I look back at them.

The woman I mentioned has a willingness to praise someone for a job well done or to encourage those who need it. She has a profound ministry. She’ll probably never give a sermon, write a book, or be famous, but I guarantee you that in God’s eyes, her notes of encouragement are more powerful than some of the sermons you’ve heard.

Is there someone in your life who needs a little affirmation and praise? What better gift to give them than the gift of encouragement!

Today, give encouragement to someone who needs it. Try writing them a note, giving them a phone call, or being creative in doing something nice!

Blessings,

Thora