I knew the Sunday morning worship service would be special. It was Youth Sunday, which means the Youth Band would be playing. They hadn't played since the changes took place - primarily, the school year changing - which lead to additions and subtractions to the previous group.
But the worship leader was wise, knowing that the new Youth Band was young and inexperience. He paired the young musicians with members of the adult band.
Over and over, during rehearsal, I got to witness the adults mentoring the kids. It touched my heart in a way that I didn't expect.
I am grateful for the mentors that God has sent my way. I am grateful for their perspective and their encouragement.... and even a pair of steel toed shoes.
I am grateful for their ability to change and shape my life - to point me in the direction of Him, whether they did so directly or not.
I am grateful to have been able to see it in action Sunday morning. It was a great gift.
Thank You, God!
Showing posts with label encouragement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label encouragement. Show all posts
Monday, May 24, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Who I am....
Day by day, week by week, year by year, I discover more and more about myself.
One of the things that I am being shown (again?) is that I am an encourager. I'm not really the cheerleader type, though.
Perhaps that is why I love so much the term "re-center-er". It seems to "fit" my style better than the "ra-ra-rah! You can do it!" type of encouragement.
I continue to find myself sitting beside women in crisis - divorce, life changes, illness - reminding them that there is still purpose in their lives. I tap into my experiences with "grieving the wish", experiencing loss, examining the core of my being, letting go of everything I knew to be true, and allowing God to catch me.
From there, life improved. There was my hope.
For those that have been through it with me, I remind them of where I was. They nod. They have seen the path from the sidelines. I share a little of what goes on inside, on the days when I wasn't sure where power behind the next step would come from, or how the bills would be paid.
I remind them that I have never had a need be unmet. I've had to adjust my perspective some on what my true needs are, but those needs have always been provided.
And sometimes, I just sit and smile, as I witness the same happening in their lives.
Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me!
One of the things that I am being shown (again?) is that I am an encourager. I'm not really the cheerleader type, though.
Perhaps that is why I love so much the term "re-center-er". It seems to "fit" my style better than the "ra-ra-rah! You can do it!" type of encouragement.
I continue to find myself sitting beside women in crisis - divorce, life changes, illness - reminding them that there is still purpose in their lives. I tap into my experiences with "grieving the wish", experiencing loss, examining the core of my being, letting go of everything I knew to be true, and allowing God to catch me.
From there, life improved. There was my hope.
For those that have been through it with me, I remind them of where I was. They nod. They have seen the path from the sidelines. I share a little of what goes on inside, on the days when I wasn't sure where power behind the next step would come from, or how the bills would be paid.
I remind them that I have never had a need be unmet. I've had to adjust my perspective some on what my true needs are, but those needs have always been provided.
And sometimes, I just sit and smile, as I witness the same happening in their lives.
Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Reaching Forward, Reaching Back
I had the honor recently of giving a massage to a pregnant woman. We had seen each other more frequently in years past, but it had been a while since we'd been together. It was such a gift to me, to be able to work with her again. It was a sweet moment too, when she started asking me about my pregnancy and my delivery.
It reminded me that we are not isolated individuals here on this planet. We are set here to love each other. To encourage each other. To walk beside each other.
When I was pregnant, I asked those who had been there before me. Now, is my opportunity to answer the questions of the first-time mom-to-be. I now look to the mothers with older children to ask my questions - and I share my experiences of my children's younger years when someone ask me.
It's how we learn. It's how we realized that we WILL live through whatever phase we're in.
I've heard it said that I should "find someone who has what [I] want and ask them how they got there". I've done that especially in my walk with God.
The times that have been especially helpful to me are the times when I'm walking through something really difficult. Without a doubt, someone inevitably appears who either has experienced the same thing, or has the ability to simply walk beside me. Someone who has struggled and allowed someone else to walk beside them.
It is an opportunity to minister to each other. To nurture, to mentor, to encourage, to support.
It is a gift. I have been fortunate to be on both ends - reaching forward and reaching back.
It reminded me that we are not isolated individuals here on this planet. We are set here to love each other. To encourage each other. To walk beside each other.
When I was pregnant, I asked those who had been there before me. Now, is my opportunity to answer the questions of the first-time mom-to-be. I now look to the mothers with older children to ask my questions - and I share my experiences of my children's younger years when someone ask me.
It's how we learn. It's how we realized that we WILL live through whatever phase we're in.
I've heard it said that I should "find someone who has what [I] want and ask them how they got there". I've done that especially in my walk with God.
The times that have been especially helpful to me are the times when I'm walking through something really difficult. Without a doubt, someone inevitably appears who either has experienced the same thing, or has the ability to simply walk beside me. Someone who has struggled and allowed someone else to walk beside them.
It is an opportunity to minister to each other. To nurture, to mentor, to encourage, to support.
It is a gift. I have been fortunate to be on both ends - reaching forward and reaching back.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Family Time and Perspective
I am so grateful for my friends who help me keep things in perspective.
I was being impatient. We were an hour behind schedule, and we were walking the dog. I have been trying to instill the rule about "fulfilling our responsibilities before we have our fun" Which meant, we had to walk the dog.
For me, it's sort of a reminiscent thing - after supper (or early in the morning) we'd walk around the block (or to the local coffee shop). My dad and the kids. We learned about "happy telephone poles" (the ones that hummed from the electrical transformers at their tops), and whatever bird was calling at the time.
Apparently, to my kids, it's torture. They often lessen the pain by riding bikes or scooters. But this day, my daughter had chosen to walk (with a Popsicle, since it was "SOOOOO hot"). My son had chosen to ride his bike - sort of. He expected me to push him up the hills...his legs hurt... "growing pains".
About a third of the way through the mile and a half circle, I was about out of my mind in frustration. It was taking FOREVER. It was like being in stop and go traffic - with no traffic. About the hundredth time my son stopped peddling to ask me, "Mom, do you want me to tell you about.....?" I wanted to scream "NOOOOOOO!!!" It was a rhetoric question. He'd press on describing the different "bosses" and "masks" and "swords" in his new love of a video game. He'd also start peddling again, so whatever words were coming out were lost ahead of me.
Just before I was sure *I* was going to burst out in a meltdown, I texted a friend: "Please remind me that "walking the dog as a family" has to do with "family", even if it takes 30x's as long...."
"Yes!", she replied, "use the time to connect with Jesus and pray for the neighbors". It was a good plan - albeit, one difficult to initiate due to the constant interruptions. BUT, it got my head back in the right place.
I started brainstorming with my girl-child how we could water the garden AND her legs with the hose when we got home. When the cool breeze blew up behind us, I prayed aloud, thanking God for the coolness and the encouragement of pushing us forward on our journey.
I have been blessed with many wonderful friends - face to face and online. Each has a purpose in my life. All are heaven-sent. I am honored to know them.
Thank You, God, for those You have sent into my life!
I was being impatient. We were an hour behind schedule, and we were walking the dog. I have been trying to instill the rule about "fulfilling our responsibilities before we have our fun" Which meant, we had to walk the dog.
For me, it's sort of a reminiscent thing - after supper (or early in the morning) we'd walk around the block (or to the local coffee shop). My dad and the kids. We learned about "happy telephone poles" (the ones that hummed from the electrical transformers at their tops), and whatever bird was calling at the time.
Apparently, to my kids, it's torture. They often lessen the pain by riding bikes or scooters. But this day, my daughter had chosen to walk (with a Popsicle, since it was "SOOOOO hot"). My son had chosen to ride his bike - sort of. He expected me to push him up the hills...his legs hurt... "growing pains".
About a third of the way through the mile and a half circle, I was about out of my mind in frustration. It was taking FOREVER. It was like being in stop and go traffic - with no traffic. About the hundredth time my son stopped peddling to ask me, "Mom, do you want me to tell you about.....?" I wanted to scream "NOOOOOOO!!!" It was a rhetoric question. He'd press on describing the different "bosses" and "masks" and "swords" in his new love of a video game. He'd also start peddling again, so whatever words were coming out were lost ahead of me.
Just before I was sure *I* was going to burst out in a meltdown, I texted a friend: "Please remind me that "walking the dog as a family" has to do with "family", even if it takes 30x's as long...."
"Yes!", she replied, "use the time to connect with Jesus and pray for the neighbors". It was a good plan - albeit, one difficult to initiate due to the constant interruptions. BUT, it got my head back in the right place.
I started brainstorming with my girl-child how we could water the garden AND her legs with the hose when we got home. When the cool breeze blew up behind us, I prayed aloud, thanking God for the coolness and the encouragement of pushing us forward on our journey.
I have been blessed with many wonderful friends - face to face and online. Each has a purpose in my life. All are heaven-sent. I am honored to know them.
Thank You, God, for those You have sent into my life!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Living in Community - Encouraging One Another
I like to say that if God had intended for us to live in isolation, He would have created us each on our own planet. There was a time, when I think I would have preferred that. But not anymore.
I love living in community. I love my "village". I love the things that we do for each other to encourage one another. Whether it be "Supper Club", or the carpool driver, (picking up my children to bring them to school) reminding me "13 more seconds, Linda". Apparently, she could tell I was counting every one til I could crawl back into my bed!
Sometimes, it's a formal "C'mon! You can do it", or a "Hey! I'm proud of you" that encourages. The clapping, the cheering (or the 'steel toed boots' in my behind).
What I've been aware of recently is the other ways that I am also encouraged:
Watching someone walk through a dark time, a life-changing event, or a difficult emotion - encourages me greatly! If they can, perhaps I can too!
Sometimes, it's the silent standing by, a hand on a shoulder or a quiet word of prayer.
Sometimes it is the gentle courtesies that seem far away and lost in the hustle of day to day life - the holding of a door, yielding right-of-way, "please", "thank you".
And, sometimes.... it's things that I don't even notice at the time. The Facebook "status" about running in the cold - that encouraged me to pick my walking pace up to a run when I was cold. The people I encounter (who find me!) who are on similar journeys. The moments of conversation that later remind me that I am not alone in this world. Sometimes, just knowing that someone else is walking the same path is encouragement enough.
I have been given people in my life - many, many people - who encourage me, who walk with me, who stand by me, who pray with and for me, who laugh with me and sit silently beside me. They remind me that there is much Grace, Joy and Love in this world.
I am truly, truly blessed. Thank you God for my "village". May I return to them, what has been so freely given to me.
But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Heb 3:13
I love living in community. I love my "village". I love the things that we do for each other to encourage one another. Whether it be "Supper Club", or the carpool driver, (picking up my children to bring them to school) reminding me "13 more seconds, Linda". Apparently, she could tell I was counting every one til I could crawl back into my bed!
Sometimes, it's a formal "C'mon! You can do it", or a "Hey! I'm proud of you" that encourages. The clapping, the cheering (or the 'steel toed boots' in my behind).
What I've been aware of recently is the other ways that I am also encouraged:
Watching someone walk through a dark time, a life-changing event, or a difficult emotion - encourages me greatly! If they can, perhaps I can too!
Sometimes, it's the silent standing by, a hand on a shoulder or a quiet word of prayer.
Sometimes it is the gentle courtesies that seem far away and lost in the hustle of day to day life - the holding of a door, yielding right-of-way, "please", "thank you".
And, sometimes.... it's things that I don't even notice at the time. The Facebook "status" about running in the cold - that encouraged me to pick my walking pace up to a run when I was cold. The people I encounter (who find me!) who are on similar journeys. The moments of conversation that later remind me that I am not alone in this world. Sometimes, just knowing that someone else is walking the same path is encouragement enough.
I have been given people in my life - many, many people - who encourage me, who walk with me, who stand by me, who pray with and for me, who laugh with me and sit silently beside me. They remind me that there is much Grace, Joy and Love in this world.
I am truly, truly blessed. Thank you God for my "village". May I return to them, what has been so freely given to me.
But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Heb 3:13
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