Encouragement: Urging others to persist and persevere in their efforts to attain their goals; stimulating others toward love and good deeds.
(1 Thessalonians 5:11, Hebrews 10:24)
A friend of mine found a note that her daughter wrote. It was in her daughter’s notebook. The note said, “I am so bad at spelling tests.” Her mom knows her daughter is pretty much failing spelling, but my sweet friend did not want that to be what defined her daughter’s thoughts of herself. So, this is what my “momma friend” did.
My friend added to her daughter’s note. She began to write all the things that her daughter does well! “You are so good at math, history, singing, building, engineering, talking about Jesus, being funny, hugs, behaving in class, swimming, helping with chores, growing flowers, weeding the garden, being a friend, roller skating, exploring, camping, playing with the dogs, hobbies, building legos, and sooo much more!”
I don’t know what happened when her daughter found this note, but can you imagine how much her heart must have swelled with all the encouragement her mom wrote to her? Just, just, well, ——–wow!
Jesus – The Light of the World: (Jesus Meets Our Need For Encouragement)
Have you ever written a note to yourself like my friend’s daughter wrote to herself?
“I am not good enough.”
“I am a terrible friend, mom, dad, daughter, son etc…”
“I can’t do anything right.”
“I am such a failure.”
Maybe you haven’t written it down, but do you have it written on your heart? May I share some encouragement just as my friend shared with her daughter about how your Heavenly Father sees you?
God wrote to you as His son/daughter:
You are fearfully and wonderfully made! (Ps. 139:14)
You are My friend! (John 15:15)
You are the apple of My eye! (Deut. 32:10)
You can do all things because I will help you! (Phil. 4:13)
You are My beautiful masterpiece! (Eph. 2:10)
I don’t condemn you! (Romans 8:1)
You are not defined by your past! (2 Cor. 5:17)
I love you my child, God (John 3:16)
May I encourage you to search His Word for more of His encouragement?!
Jesus encouraged His disciples and many others, while He was here on earth before His ascension into heaven. Perhaps one of the reasons we are still here is to be an encourager in His place – as “Jesus with skin on” to our children.
His Word – A lamp and a Light
Let’s do: Phil.2: 1-2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
As you read the encouragement above of how God sees you and you have searched more in His Word, would you share what you received from the Father: the encouragement, comfort, love and hope with your child? We all need to hear these truths about who we are in Christ especially our children.
As your children grow into adults they will undoubtedly feel, think, and perhaps write down negative feelings about themselves. Place these beautiful truths that you have personally learned from Jesus into your children’s hands and heart, so they can hold onto them tightly should they ever begin to question or doubt the truth about themselves!
You And I Are “The Light of the World” – Jesus Said So.
As God encourages you, be His Light of encouragement to your children/children of influence (a child not in your family but one with whom you have influence!)
If you have children/grandchildren, you can be, in fact are, such a positive LIGHT in their lives! Your children look to you as an example. Be a great example of encouragement to them, won’t you?
If you don’t have children I bet you still have children in your life. These are your “children of influence”, your neighbor’s kids, kids at church, nephews, nieces, etc.
As we bump into others throughout our life, we can have a great impact with even the smallest of “life bumps.”
What I mean is, something as simple as seeing a little one upset at the grocery store. We can speak a sweet word of encouragement to them that may change their moment.
Let’s Be His Light of Encouragement!!!