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Thursday, March 08, 2007

Encouragement

Have you ever known someone that was just really great at encouraging others? I think a lot of times we look for certain people to be our pillars of encouragement. People like our parents, really good friends, teachers, and coaches.

I can recall one of my baseball coaches. The team we had was middle of the pack in the league. We had some spotty talent but managed to be in all the games. I covered shortstop for the almost all the games and was our lead off hitter. They relied on me to get on base to turn singles into doubles. I was a great base stealer. I can recall the beginning of this one game and the coach came to me told me that I was pitching tonight. I had never started a game until this point. I look back at him and I asked him if he was sure. He looked at me and told me that I was one of his most talented players, and that he knew I would perform well. It’s funny how the smallest words can raise a person up. That game ended up being the best game I would ever pitch. It’s funny my warm up pitches were all in the dirt. But when I took the mound, I was in control. Those words of encouragement spurred on sixteen strikeouts in seven innings. I ended up only giving up one hit during the whole game.

Lately, I have been finding my comfort in the word. I’ve been spending time in 2 Corinthians. The words that resonate are these from Paul.

“Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.“

I think a lot of us get caught up in our own lives that we don’t see what others are doing around us; our friends, our family members, our colleagues. And even worse when we notice things, we are reluctant to encourage. I do think there is a skill to encouraging others. Too much of it isn’t encouraging, and not enough, well you get the point.

So how can we effectively encourage one another?

The other day during one of my normal commutes to work, I was thinking about my family, my friends and the others in my support system. The more I thought about these individuals the more I realized how amazingly gifted they are. I won’t hesitate to say that God has blessed me with those that I know. These folks are the smartest and most talented people I know, and the coolest part is that I get to learn from them.

So I will note if sometime in the near future you get some encouraging words from me, don’t be alarmed. The words are heartfelt and honest, but prepare, as it is me, a smug remark may follow.

A big thanks goes out to my family and friends, you all have truly been an encouraging part of my life.

1 Comments:

Blogger Dave said...

It's awesome that Paul brings that out in 2 Corinthians. If anyone needed encouragement, it was Paul. We was essentially defending his church planting ministry in that letter (and a bit in the previous one). Here's the guy needing the most encouragement of all admonishing others to encourage.

Good stuff!

Miss you, Banks!

2:53 PM  

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