“Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” Ephesians 4:29
Love and Affirmation
When those of us on the Care Team for Floyd are with him, one of the things we try to do is encourage him. He always soaks it up! We remind him of how much he’s loved. I share emails that people have written that express appreciation. We tell him that he’s not forgotten. It always seems to mean so much to him, and seems to minister to his heart. Encouragement is healing.
I was thinking about a birthday that is coming up, and out of nowhere I remembered a birthday celebration from many years ago. We were living in The Cleft in the red light district in Amsterdam. We had gotten to know one of the ladies in the windows, and we found out it was her birthday. We invited her to our tiny apartment to celebrate. She was surprised, but excited to come. I baked her a birthday cake, and we gave her some small gifts. In getting to know her, we were able to mention a couple things that we appreciated about her. To say she was overwhelmed by it all would be a massive understatement. She said she couldn’t remember anyone ever celebrating her birthday before. Encouragement can be a powerful voice into someone’s life.
A few days ago, I was feeling rather low because I’ve been so sick. In my quiet time the Lord directed my attention to a passage of scripture that poured out His love for all of us. I was so blessed by the wonderful, constant, rich, amazing love of the Lord for us, for me. It so blessed my heart! Encouragement can minister to the needs in our heart.
Also this week, after I got sick yet again, I was feeling battle-weary. One night, just before going to bed, I got a sweet email of love and affirmation. It made me smile, and filled my heart with a sweet joy. It was a lovely way to go to sleep. Encouragement lifts our spirits in a way that nothing else can.
We all need love and affirmation. Whatever our situation, we have the need for encouragement in our hearts. It’s one of the ways God has made us because He wants our lives to be interwoven. As we share encouragement, it draws us closer to each other—just as God’s affirmation draws us closer to Him. I think because of all I’ve been going through, my sensitivity to how important encouragement is has been heightened. It really is powerful.
“Father, Your Word encourages us daily. We ask that You give us encouraging words for others—to Your glory and for the building up of the Church. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Amen sweet sister. So sorry for all you and Floyd have been going thru. Please know you are in my prayers and thank you for the words of encouragement you have poured out to us in the midst of it all.
Amen. Thank you for all your spiritual words of encouragement and uplifting stories. So much gleaned from your stories by me and many others. You are an inspiration. Thank you for all you do. You are certainly a child of God and I envision him smiling down at you. God Bless you.
You are Floyd are always in our prayers. I always look forward to whatever God gives you to write. You are indeed a blessing and encouragement to all of us. Thank you for your ministry to all of us.