Encouragement

Encouragement

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."  
-Hebrews 10:24-25

Where does your encouragement come from?  Do you need encouragement from others to keep yourself going on tasks, or can you pull forward on your own?  The truth is we can all use a little encouragement from time to time.  Even just a word to let us know that somebody is thinking about us. 

Do you remember as a child or even now, when you hear someone talking about you when they didn't know you were listening? Hearing what others think about us can either build us up or tear us down. This picture is an awesome reflection of how important our choice of words are and how it can effect others.  We can use our words to portray love and comfort or negativity and coldness.  We can use our words to build others up or tear others down.  

We also need to be careful on how we speak to ourselves.  We can be our own worst critic at times and we need to realize that nobody, I mean NOBODY is perfect.  The only ONE that is perfect is our Lord and Savior.  If we were perfect, we wouldn't need Him.  He tells us in His word, that We are ENOUGH.  His view of us should be and is the most important one.  He loves you and accepts you just the way you are. That is GREAT encouragement!

We are all different in our abilities and other's may see things that we don't and that is okay.  My husband sometimes gives his opinion or advice when I'm disciplining our boys from time to time. Being a man, he can relate better on which method may work better according to how the boys respond or react.  Does that mean I'm doing something wrong or I'm a bad mother? No, it just means that he has a different view being a man, than I do as a woman, and mother. Be willing and humble to take advice once and awhile too. Take each "hiccup" in your day as an opportunity to learn and grow. 

As our children grow, they will soak up their surroundings like a sponge.  As mothers we have our hand on the thermostat as far as the warmness or coldness of our home. This is a big responsibility, I know.   If the words that we speak are often negative, our home will be filled with negativity.  If we focus on the positive and lean on Him when things are tough, there will be peace, there will be joy, and there will be hope, even in those moments where you wonder "what the heck is going on?"  When things get chaotic and you feel like your top is about to blow.....Take 10 seconds to breathe, to reflect on what's happening, and say a quick prayer for peace.  I don't always to remember to do this, but I try.  I will even have my kids pray with me, and it's amazing how a blanket of comfort and peace fills the room. 

So all in all my encouragement for the day is just to choose your words wisely.  We are all bound to make mistakes, and it's ok. We also have words to cover that too.  

I'm sorry, will you forgive me?  

These are powerful words that can teach our children humility and courage. These are all awesome lessons to learn.  

Prayer Time
Dear Father, thank You for our wonderful families and our warm homes.  We pray that You would help us to choose words wisely when speaking to others.  Help us to encourage those that are in need and build them up.  Help us to keep positive in our everyday lives and be aware when negativity starts creeping in.  Thank you for your wonderful love for us and that we may lean on you Father when things get chaotic.  All these things we pray in your name, AMEN