Encouragement is a chance to be used as a blessing from God
I woke up early this morning like normal, really needing my time alone with God to renew my mind and get refocused.This had been a hard week on me. The boys have gotten up early, been extra rowdy and active, and my continuous disciplining seems to be to no avail. This has led me to be physically, emotionally, and spiritually fatigued.
I was looking forward to getting recharged this morning, but the boys were all up by 6:30, which put a big dent in my plans. I was discouraged and praying for someone to just show up out of the blue to help me out for a bit.
Then something happened that completely changed my day. A card came for me in the mail. The front of the card read: Motherhood is not for wimps. On the inside it said: You're making a difference EVERY DAY!
It was from my friend Erin. As I read her kind words, I broke out in tears. She said she realized how hard a stage I am in right now, but my choice to stay at home is making a difference in the lives of both my children and my husband. She encouraged me to keep pressing forward.
Wow, what a difference that made in me. What rejuvenation! It pumped such life into my tired, weary body, and reminded me of my incredible purpose in life right now to raise my boys up right. I just started thanking God for using Erin to encourage me, thanking Him for her friendship and praising Him for caring so much about me that He prompted her to send me that card.
Never underestimate what a little encouragement can do for someone. It is a way to be used by God to be a blessing to someone in need, and that is exciting! I believe God speaks to us all the time through the Holy Spirit, telling us ways we can do so. Sad thing is, some people are too busy to hear the Holy Spirit, and others listen but don't do it. A lot of people have good intentions; but it's the people that follow through on them that make a difference. It wouldn't have helped me if Erin would have just thought about sending a card. What helped me was that she actually did it!
It doesn't take a special talent or vast resources to be a blessing. It could be making a meal for someone, stopping in for a visit, or just giving them a call to see how they are doing. It might be paying them a compliment if the thought comes to you. Many people have said kind words to me about my articles and that has truly encouraged and blessed me. (If you have done so – Thank you!!)
James 4:17 says "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin." God isn't mad at you if you don't do what you know you should do, but it is sin. And you are missing out on an incredible opportunity to be a blessing to someone in need.
I want to encourage you to follow through on what the Holy Spirit leads you to do, even if it seems weird. People could be praying for something very specific, and you could be God's chosen vessel to answer that prayer.
Have I missed opportunities to do this? Yes, as I know everyone has. But I believe my misses are becoming fewer as I seek the Lord passionately, desiring to be used by Him and to be a blessing to others. And I'll let you in on a secret: Being a blessing and helping others blesses you as well!
Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you, be still enough so you can hear Him, and be excited that you can be a difference maker. Never miss the opportunity to be a blessing and source of encouragement to someone. You never know what kind of impact it may make; not only on their life but on yours as well.