Encouragement. It is something that I do not give enough of, but when I do receive it, I realize how good it feels, and how gravely important it is for society. I think the only reason I am writing this (and have plans to write more in the future) is because someone encouraged me to. A few days ago my brother-in-law Kevin stumbled upon my site looking for some pictures I took of him. When I spoke to him on the phone, he told me that I had a unique, almost dry sense of wit or humor in my writing which seemed to entice him. I have never really thought of myself as a very witty guy, but I can be when I don’t even realize it myself. Regardless, I took his comment with high regard and it simply made me feel good. It was nothing big, but thats the point. Encouragement does not have to be big, it just has to be meaningful and true. The effects of a simple act can generate a large response sometimes. Granted, we should not be encouraging people for the sole reason to gain a response from them, but if we notice a good quality in someone, or enjoyed someone’s company, or anything at all… Open your stinkin mouth and say something to them!

There are not too many things in this world which you can get a vastly larger return compared to the input. What I mean is that giving encouragement costs nothing to you at all except a requirement to be a little less selfish. And what is gained can be great. Of course the return is going to change from time to time, but will never be negative. Why then, do people not encourage others more? This seems like a no-brainer to me, and yet I am at the head of the selfish pack.

1 Thes. 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up”

So here is my challenge for myself and anyone else who wants to accept it: To encourage people more! I think you will be surprised how much better you feel about the world we live in when you can point out so many good things in it. Ever since I started thinking about this, I have noticed so many things in people, and realizing these really enables me to see God in so many more places in my day-to-day live.

You CAN have a genuine interest in other’s lives. You CAN encourage people when you notice things. You CAN show people how you appreciate them or what they do your your live. (wow, that sounded really after-school-special).