Encourage one another and build one another up.
1 Thessalonians 9:11
This past Sunday I stood in church singing worship songs which brought some needed peace. I was overwhelmed with getting a four year old, a two year old, and a three week old to church on my own that morning. I had not gotten much sleep because my sweet girl was struggling with her digestion and up screaming for hours the past night. Brian had worked 17 hours until 6am and was at home getting the needed rest I craved. It was his first week back and I had struggled to find my footing having three kids on my own. I desperately needed to be at church so come hell or high water I was going to make it that morning and I did.
I was greeted with lots of cheer. It encouraged me to be welcomed into fellowship with other believers that morning. My boys were checked into their classrooms after a few extra snuggles for Keith who protested staying without me and I walked into service late, but I was there. I stood in service, Quinn snuggled up against me in a baby wrap, and lifted my hands to the Lord. It was a moment of pure, exhausted surrender. It was good to be where I was.
After church, one of my dearest friends and her husband came my way. We quickly caught up on each others week and when asked how I was I suddenly, to my surprise, felt my eyes fill with tears. I was tired. I was weary. I was happy. I was overwhelmed. I was feeling accomplished and defeated at the same time. I was a whole host of emotions and in that moment I teared up realizing how flooded with emotion my heart had been. Life was good but I was tired. I needed someone to listen to me and remind me I could do this. My friend gave me a big hug, reminded me that the hard times get better and the sweet times pass quickly so enjoy them...and get a nap.
Later that week that same friend brought me coffee and not one but two chocolate bars. She was speaking my love language. I don't like big extravagant gifts but a random cup of coffee and a chocolate bar letting me know I was thought of reminded me how loved and valued I am. This friend encouraged me to no end this week and I felt a new sense of energy and calmness in my parenting. Sometimes, simply sending a card, asking how someone is doing and really stopping to listen, sending a random gift, giving an encouraging word or finding a simple way to walk alongside others, building them up can be just what someone needs. Encouragement can lift moods, instill wisdom, change behaviors, and movtivate others so I hope you are on the lookout for hearts that need a little building up.
Lord, help me to see others who need to be encouraged and built up as you have called me to do in your word. I pray you give me eyes to see the hurting, the tired, the discouraged hearts of you people and find ways to purposefully show them love. I want to be a tool that will bless your people so they can carry on the work you have called them to do.
Amen
After church, one of my dearest friends and her husband came my way. We quickly caught up on each others week and when asked how I was I suddenly, to my surprise, felt my eyes fill with tears. I was tired. I was weary. I was happy. I was overwhelmed. I was feeling accomplished and defeated at the same time. I was a whole host of emotions and in that moment I teared up realizing how flooded with emotion my heart had been. Life was good but I was tired. I needed someone to listen to me and remind me I could do this. My friend gave me a big hug, reminded me that the hard times get better and the sweet times pass quickly so enjoy them...and get a nap.
Later that week that same friend brought me coffee and not one but two chocolate bars. She was speaking my love language. I don't like big extravagant gifts but a random cup of coffee and a chocolate bar letting me know I was thought of reminded me how loved and valued I am. This friend encouraged me to no end this week and I felt a new sense of energy and calmness in my parenting. Sometimes, simply sending a card, asking how someone is doing and really stopping to listen, sending a random gift, giving an encouraging word or finding a simple way to walk alongside others, building them up can be just what someone needs. Encouragement can lift moods, instill wisdom, change behaviors, and movtivate others so I hope you are on the lookout for hearts that need a little building up.
Lord, help me to see others who need to be encouraged and built up as you have called me to do in your word. I pray you give me eyes to see the hurting, the tired, the discouraged hearts of you people and find ways to purposefully show them love. I want to be a tool that will bless your people so they can carry on the work you have called them to do.
Amen
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