I am chewing on a thought here…

My morning devotional tells me that encouragement is a good way to deliver the message of love of God to others.

I believe in spiritual gifts…that we all have been gifted in something that when used in conjunction with the Lord can become incredibly fruitful for His kingdom but also in our own lives.

I don’t know if it is a spiritual gift per se, but I think I am created to be an encourager.

I have a friend who went through one of the biggest challenges of his life a few years ago where a literal gift of life was what was needed to save him…he called me his cheerleader during that time of his journey.

That struck a chord in me…I doubt he knew I had been a cheerleader in junior high…I doubt he knew how I coached and cheered elementary girls on in a Girls on the Run program…I doubt he knew I paced the sidelines waiting for my son’s and the others I enjoyed watching run by me in track, go up to bat, steal second base, or stand the line in football awaiting the next play…

But he knew anyhow…because I chose to encourage him through words, texts, and songs.

I didn’t feel I did much then but yet I know NOW that when I am compelled to say SOMETHING to someone in an encouraging way I can no more stay silent than I can stop my next breath.

” We cannot change other people. They have to make a personal decision to come to faith…They have to travel that road for themselves. Your part is to make that road appealing and easy to travel. You can do that by sharing your own story of hope with them. Simply tell them how God has met a need in your life.”~365 Most Important Bible Passages for Mother’s.

Making a path clear and appealing looks like going ahead of someone and sweeping away the debris that clutters the road; giving a warning of a possible danger that could harm them like a hole or a root or even a snake (!); pointing out the beauty of the area as we journey along together..we all know some paths are tedious-so joy on the journey makes for much better company than grouchiness!

Telling others our faith sounds so scary when the pressure is on us for something to come out of that sharing..but telling others of what encourages us is rather easy and actually kind of fun to share because it is for the purpose of being there with them in that particular moment.

It lifts my spirits to lift yours with encouragement.

Be encouraged today, my friends.

May your path be more clear as you see the beauty around you instead of staring at the hazards or worry about the unknowns.

“Your God says~ Speak kindly to the people”- Isaiah 40:1