Showing posts with label encouragements. Show all posts
Showing posts with label encouragements. Show all posts

Saturday, May 31, 2008

lifting up or tearing down?


Did you ever stop to think the words that you utter can bring a person up or it can tear them down. Remember the Bible Verse you learned in Sunday School?

“Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.”

—1 Thessalonians 5:11

It is much harder to look for the positive, and build each other up I think. Often we get carried away by daily tasks and what has to be done.

There were protesters in our small city today. I realize they have a right to free speech and it did turn into a good lesson for the kids. The kids really thought it funny that they were protesting war and soldiers when it was and is our soldiers who fight to keep our freedom of free speech. But I wonder how much further they could take their message if they lifted others up rather than tearing them down.

I think of my kids too. Often I am correcting them about something that was not put away or a chore not done. I must make a sincere effort to praise the things they are doing right.

We need people in our lives to encourage us and we need to encourage the people in our lives. Often times we can see something special in someone that they themselves cannot see.

I am truly blessed, I was feeling really discouraged and friends reminded me of my talents and even what I could learn from my failures.

Funny that word Courage slipped in the middle of the word encourage. It does sometimes take courage to lift another up. But even more important, by encouraging another person you give them courage!

Share the courage!

Sunday, July 8, 2007

Encourage others!

It could change the world!

What encourages you? Do the same for others.

We are quick to criticize but how often do we share complements? I know I am quick to jot off a quick email when something bad happens at a store or I get bad service or something. But recently I was so impressed by the associates at our local Publix I wrote them a quick thank you email. Do you know one of the assistant managers called to say thanks? So often they hear what they are doing wrong not the positive things.

When someone is discouraged or hurting, offer to help. Don't be general like 'I would like to help' instead offer to do something specific that would help them. Example we helped some neighbors today put up foam siding on the ceiling of a workshop building for their new business. Not easy work. We were not asked to do it, we just did it. And our whole family helped!

Write someone a note to let them know you are thinking of them. It means more to them than you will ever know! Kids love this too!

Celebrate the little things! Kids need encouragement when they do things correctly. Have you ever given the same encouragement to an adult and see the results?! Amazing!

Think about it! Has someone encouraged you? What have you done today to encourage someone?