AUGUST 8, 2013 · 7:22 AM ↓ When You Care Enough to Encourage Kansas City, Missouri, is the home of Hallmark. The company is over 100 years old. And is an iconic presence in the metro area. One of the members of our church family works there. And by all indications Hallmark is a responsible corporate citizen in our community. You’ve seen their touching commercials. Received their wonderful cards. And probably visited their unique stores. You know they have a wonderful product. But the prolific author anonymous has composed a list of “Cards You’ll never See at Hallmark.” “Looking back over the years that we’ve been together, I can’t help but wonder…. What was I thinking?!” “I’ve always wanted to have someone to hold, someone to love…. After having met you, I’ve changed my mind.” “As the days go by, I think of how lucky I am…. that you’re not here to ruin it for me.” “As you grow older, Mom, I think of all the gifts you’ve given me….. Like the need for therapy.” “You look great for your age…. Almost life-like!” “When we were together, you always said you’d die for me…. Now that we’ve broken up, I think it’s time you kept your promise.” “We have been friends for a very long time…. What do you say we call it quits?” “I’m so miserable without you…. It’s almost like you’re here.” While there is an element of humor to those lines, we instinctively know that they are not fitting for company whose advertising slogan is “When you care enough to send the very best.” In the same way, Christians are to be characterizing by caring. By sharing. By encouraging. Paul exhorted the Thessalonian Christians to “encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (I Thess. 5:14, NIV) God created us as a spiritual family for communion. Fellowship. Encouragement. Dr. David Jeremiah said, “The body of Christ is a family whose members are to be mutually involved with one another. One of the one-another ministries God calls us to practice is the ministry of encouragement.” I’ve been blessed by so many who encourage me. Family. Friends. Brethren. Readers of ThePreachersWord. Recently my friend, Jamie Norton, messaged me with a link to their newsletter at One Stone Bible Resources. The heading was “Blogs by Christians.” I was encouraged to be featured along with Dene Ward and Jason Hardin. (us4.campaign-archive2/?u=7ba73449027e7c9ace90414c5&id=9aa022896f) The article began with the verse from Proverbs 27:17. “Iron sharpens iron and one man sharpens another.” Isn’t that what we all should be doing? Whether bloggers, or writers, or preachers? We should be Christians sharpening one another. Helping one another. Lifting one another. Encouraging one another. When you care enough to encourage you will find a way to encourage others. Maybe it is by just “being there” when someone is going through a tough time. Use cards, notes, emails, texts, even facebook to encourage others. Look for the right time to say a good word. A kind word. An uplifting word. Or it may be that arm on the shoulder of a discouraged, disconsolate friend. A touch of the hand. A warm embrace,. A pat on the back. When you care enough to encourage you see people who need encouragement. Maybe a frazzled young mother? An elderly shut-in? A confused young person? A tireless teacher? A dedicated deacon? A new Christian? A faithful preacher? A devoted elder? The sick? Feeble? The weak? The Bible urges, “warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone” (2 Thess 5:14). When you care enough to encourage you will find the time to encourage! How about today! The Hebrew writer admonishes, “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Heb 3:13, NIV). When you care enough to encourage you will find the time. The opportunity. And the people who need it. Encourage someone today! Maybe even send them an appropriate Hallmark card! –Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
Posted on: Thu, 08 Aug 2013 12:51:29 +0000
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