Back in the swing of things...

Getting back into the swing of things, I realize that sometimes, whether you feel good or not, you just have to GET UP and do it. Ugh says my body. No! Says my mind. Please? Says my spirit. But up I get and try to plug away at something. I am the type who can shake most anything off. I imagine I have out thought many a sickness in my day. If we all just shook off the doldrums, the lethargy, the "I don't want to's", we could accomplish much more! I am trying to shake off the end of being sick, trying to will my usual boundless energy back into existence, but it is difficult. I have had one or two emails asking how I felt, and it amazed me how much that meant. I even actually TOLD someone yesterday that I felt sorry for myself. Those are words you'll rarely if ever hear out of my mouth. But I digress... the concern of another person, even if they were just being POLITE made me feel BETTER. And I realize the gift of encouragement is no small thing. A kind word, a note, a smile, a compliment, a helping hand, a rah-rah talk or a phone call ASKING about someone them is a salve, a balm to the heart of one who is sick or down.

I love encouragement though I myself am an encourager and I don't think encouragers often GET encouragement! Here are some good ideas of how to be a good encourager:

YOU pick which is better:

How's your family? or... How's Susie doing in violin?

How's school this year? or... What curriculum are you using this year?

Let me know if there is anything I can do. or...I've set up three meals for you this week.

How's Church? or... What has your pastor been preaching on?

How are you feeling? or... Do you still have a fever? Sore throat?

How are you? or... How has God been working in your life lately? (be choosy with this one!)

Hmm, perhaps these are more listening skills or communication skills, but you get the point. When one friend asked me how I was and I answered, she emailed me BACK asking me to let her know how it went... You know, an extra step may mean nothing to you but EVERYTHING to someone else who has done nothing but eaten chocolate cake for a week straight. (haha)

Even if you don't have the gift of encouragement, you CAN be an encourager. Make it from the heart and you can't go wrong. I am challenging everyone to write two notes of encouragement to someone this week. One to the person you want to send it to and one to someone you normally wouldn't. (irritating church person, critical family member) Start choosing the road of encouragement and (to quote a line from a favorite, though irreverent movie, "Bruce Almighty", gasp away you legalists!) BE THE MIRACLE!