Tag Archives: Encourage one another

Building community

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Community. It’s the sense of connectedness we feel to other people. Sometimes we feel connected by shared values and beliefs, sometimes by common history, familial ties, or fidelity to a common purpose. In community we seek and offer a sense of belonging and acceptance that speak to our deepest needs. We need community. And yet we live in ways that isolate us.

 

Living in virtual isolation these past two years with a compromised immune system, I value technology that keeps me connected with others. But technology is a poor replacement for human contact. And it seems the more technology advances we have afforded to us, the less face to face contact we actually have with others. In a world where ‘keeping busy’ is valued so highly, there is little time to build community. But don’t you yearn for more? How do you break out of the busyness cycle to make room for community?

 

Perhaps we might first start by looking beyond ourselves. Think of it. How much of what you do has ‘you’ in the center of it? Your work, your hobbies, your relaxation, your worries and problems, your your pleasure and comfort? We even think God’s call on our life is about us making a big difference in the world. It’s not. It’s about God making a difference, one person at a time, as you encounter them. If you change the heart of one person, surely you change the world. While we tend to look for community in our close circle of friends, it seems God is most interested in us building community among ‘the least of these’. The first step to building community is to look beyond ourselves to others God puts in our path.

 

Secondly, we need to take risks. It’s safe to remain isolated or in the comfort of a small group you’ve enjoyed for years. But what about those who have no group, who leave church without being acknowledged, who are absent for weeks and not noticed? People need the Lord, but we need each other too. Who have you reached out to recently that is alone and outside your normal circle? Who have you acknowledged and valued when you had no self-serving reason to do so?

 

Third, it is not just a matter of spending time with people but of living life together. It might be an intensive relationship built through much shared activity. Or it might be in a passing moment. Notice people around you. Whether it be your spouse or child, your employee, or a stranger on the street. Speak value into their life. Notice people who are missing. Look through your contact list to identify people that have missed your presence. Find a way to come along side others. Share a meal. Share your struggles. Share Christ. Listen and show compassion. Speak encouraging words. Seek out practical ways to express God’s grace, His love and hope.

 

Frankly, I struggle with this. Maybe you do too. It was easy at work. It seemed natural to reach out to others my three months in the hospital. Largely homebound, it’s a challenge. It’s not easy to build community, but it’s worth it. It’s the reason we were put here together. We’re committed to try to build community wherever we can. I hope you do too.

 

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25

 

 

Be kind – Be a peacemaker

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Be kind one to another. Ephesians 4:32

 

Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God. Matthew 5:9

 

Such a simple concept: be kind. It’s one of the first lessons we learned as children. But even as adults we need reminders to “play nice in the sandbox.” I remember one motivational speaker talking about communication, giving the example of a ‘discussion’ he had recently with his wife. He shared with us, “And then I had this brilliant thought: ‘Say something sarcastic!'” It doesn’t take much imagination to understand how the rest of that conversation went, does it? And yet, it is so easy to say an unkind thing. How many times in the busyness of our own agenda do we say a careless thing that is hurtful to others? It’s so easy to do.

 

You know what else is easy? To say a kind word, to encourage someone else. It takes so little time to actually greet the person in the checkout lane, to compliment the worker in the aisle who is attending to their job, to let someone with fewer items (or the mom with three kids in tow!) go ahead of you in line, or to thank someone for helping you. This same treatment goes for strangers we meet throughout the day, and of course our family. I revel in hearing my daughter praise her children often. I suspect that too many people go through life thirsting to be acknowledged as a person of value and to hear an encouraging word. You may find it difficult to praise someone because they are so often acting in a contrary way. But take your time and watch for an opportunity to praise them, thank them, or just recognize them as a person of worth.

 

In the same manner, we don’t have to disagree with everyone, even if we are sure we are right. We really don’t have to correct everyone in our path about every little thing. Even if you believe you are right, consider the value of saying, “Perhaps you’re right,” or “Thanks for sharing your perspective.” God calls us to be peacemakers, to live in an understanding way with each other. Ultimately, this means we are to live in a manner that encourages others to become reconciled with God. But it starts by us creating relationships with others that reconcile us to one another.

 

“Be kind” might seem too simple a strategy for successful living. But consider this: Maybe your agenda isn’t what’s so important today. Maybe God’s primary agenda for you today is for you to be a peacemaker. Who knows – a kind word from you may be the vital drop of water needed to sustain and encourage someone who is dying on the vine, who may look fine on the outside, but inside is ready to call it quits. Be kind to each other. Bring peace to the world in the way you interact with those around you.

 

 

Are you a ‘cheerleader’?

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We received an interesting article about my sister’s alma mater, UNI. It says “the University of Northern Iowa is now home to one of only three college-level ‘inclusive’ cheerleading squads in the nation. It features two boys and nine girls who love to cheer and are avid Panther fans and just happen to have disabilities ranging from Down syndrome to autism.

“The Sparkles send the message that anyone can be a cheerleader or do anything they put their mind to,” said Swanson, founder of the team.

The line, “anyone can be a cheerleader” struck me. I’ve never had any inclination to be on a sports cheerleader team. But I’ve learned how important ‘cheerleading’ is. I’ve commented before about how everyone faces hard battles and encouragement spurs us on. I mean, have you ever had too much encouragement? So it seems that cheerleading, a type of encouragement, is a much needed commodity.

I wonder when you put on your ‘sensitivity antennae’ to notice others around you, how many opportunities there are each and every day to encourage others. I had a mentor who taught me by example how easy and valuable it was to encourage others:
Catch someone doing something well and comment on it.
Compliment someone’s smile or helpful act.
Write a note of appreciation for someone’s talents.
Always write a short note or email thanking someone for their consideration of you.
Acknowledge people with a smile, or hug if appropriate.
Offer to pray with, not just for, someone who shares a heartache with you. Check back later to see how they are doing.

You get the idea. All encouragement costs is the intentional effort and desire to pay attention to others. As Paul said, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)

Probably none of us do this perfectly all the time; we all tend to get caught up in our own concerns. But all of us can encourage and cheer others on. You can forget the pom poms and special outfit. Just go light our world by being an intentional cheerleader for others. It might just be the pick-me-up YOU need!

“Let us encourage one another.” Hebrews 10:24-25

Truth and Grace

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My wife has been a most extraordinary help to me through the last ten months of Leukemia (my whole life actually). It hasn’t been at all easy for her to take on new roles of caring for someone who is generally pretty independent or to deal with the uncertainties that continue to present themselves.

One of Marcia’s characteristics that has ministered to me throughout this ongoing experience is the way she tenderly speaks truth and grace to me. We all need to hear truth but we aren’t always receptive to it, even from our best friend. Perhaps you too have experienced:

Truth without grace seems harsh; grace without truth is cheap. Grace and truth together are a costly and yet free gift of great value. They are the essence of who Jesus is and who we are called to be, in Him..

Allow me to offer what may be silly yet practical examples of how grace and truth work together. My treatment medicines often give me bad breath, despite a concentrated effort to maintain excellent oral care (an essential routine for cancer patients). So if Marcia senses this when we are out in public, instead of just telling me the truth, she demonstrates this with the gentle grace of offering me a mint. In my steroid-induced ‘manic’ moments when I talk too fast or too much (even more than normal :-)) she will often place her gentle hand on my shoulder to remind me, without a word, to slow down. That same signal reassures me when the meds increase my involuntary muscular tics and when I get so excited visiting with people that my breathing becomes too labored. Her message of truth provides needed awareness. Her quiet actions of grace allow me to receive and apply that message in a beneficial way.

This is the purpose of the Go Light Your World ministry: to help others discover God’s best for them by letting His light shine truth and grace into their lives. We want to encourage one another, myself included, to dig deeper, to press on, to BE the “light of the world” that Jesus calls us to be in our daily interactions with others.

Like learning to love and live well, it is a life long process and we don’t always get it right. But what great hope comes with each new day, a new beginning, an opportunity for each of us to renew our pledge to experience and share the peace and joy that is ushered in by truth and grace!

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

Encourage One Another

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There are a number of “one another” passages in the bible that we are encouraged to carry out. One of them is “encourage one another.” I have come to realize over the years and especially this last year with cancer/Leukemia, that everyone needs encouragement. How important it is that we treat others with kindness because everyone is facing a tough battle of some kind. Even if you are a person of great faith, encouragement spurs you to press on in your pursuit of the object of that faith.

I remember when a young friend of mine was dying of cancer at Mercy Hospital 20 years ago, we took up 24 hour prayer vigils to stay in the room with him. When he was awake he said he really valued us reminding him of scripture and hymns. It was a real battle for the mind for him, between the medications and the pain, to stay sane and to remember God’s promises. I have likewise really appreciated the scriptures others have brought to my mind during this journey.

We are so thankful for those who have and continue to encourage us through our journey with Leukemia. Some came at some expense to others; others just required a caring heart. Here is just a sampling of encouraging acts:
Personal visits!
Handwritten notes of encouragement
Reminders that people are praying and people praying (being remembered is big!)
Phone calls and texts and emails to “check in”
Relaxing music CD
A preloaded iPod shuffle
Someone called and asked if they could visit…with milkshakes! Another with ice cream.
A desert, snack assortment, meal, or fresh made bread…even a potluck dinner that was fun!
iTunes gift card (music can have healing properties)
A gas/grocery card and other donations
A handmade shawl for warmth
Pet care while we were in the hospital
People helping out without us having to think of something. They just stepped forward. Someone raked our front yard; another fixed a door; another mowed our lawn all summer, another completed an electrical project for us. I want to remember when I get stronger, if leaves are falling or there is snow on my drive, it is falling on someone elses too!

How many ways can YOU think of to encourage others around you? I’d love it if you’d add a comment/reply to this blog with your ideas!

It is all part of seeing others through God’s eyes and living a life of passion and meaning! Be encouraged… YOU make a difference in others’ lives!

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Words We’d All Like To Hear Spoken More in 2013

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I love you.

I miss you.

I was wrong.

Will you forgive me?

I appreciate you.

How is your day going….really?

Let’s do this together.

Let’s go out to eat tonight!

What can I do to help? (Better yet, don’t ask, just do it!)

Could I pray with you…right now?

. . . And words are always spoken more clearly with action that consistently matches them. Let’s make each day count, while there is time.

What words would you like to hear more this year?
What do you plan to speak more this year?

“Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up…”
1 Thessalonians 5:11