Being An Encourager

I’ve told the story many times over the decades of a supervisor who came to the classroom where I was teaching in my early years in Taiwan and I was nervous, of course, being observed.  When the time came for the sit-down to discuss what had gone well and what needed improvement, this person handed me a list with the heading, “Ten Good Teaching Practices I Observed In Your Classroom Today.” 

More than 40 years later I have no recollection what he put on that list. What I do know and what has guided me over the years is the fact that that man, observing flaws and some helpful practices, chose to focus on what I did well.  You can bet I did more of what was affirmed and the practice of naming those kinds of positive things became something I practiced when I became a supervisor myself.

It is important that we not just know that it’s good to encourage one another but actually take action.  God’s word instructs us:

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Loving God, we know that we are all different. We have a variety of gifts and talents.  Help us to get better ourselves today by noticing and affirming the gifts in one another as You do for us. 

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. … Romans 12:4-6

We also want to keep in mind that whatever we do, if we are going to do well together, needs to be rooted in Your way and Your word. 

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6

So Loving God, we want to follow along with Your example and teaching and be those who both endure and encourage.  We thank You for encouraging us with Your love and faithfulness even while we struggle. 

Today we want to become encouragers like You are. 

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Have a wonderful day.