Random Acts Of Encouragement
Friday January 27, 2017
Recently on the news the story was told of two women who went into a Tim Horton's coffee shop, bought many doughnuts and cups of coffee and began to give them out to the next people who came in as a "random act of kindness." Other stories are told of people who pay for the next person's gas at the gas pump or pick up the dinner tab for another table at a restaurant. These are persons who are giving just to be generous. In some instances, it is in response to something lovely that has been done for them.
In the same newscast, we hear stories of people who are complaining and condemning others for what they did or didn't do. Sometimes it seems that no one can get it right. What would happen if each of us were to change our perspective, seek out the good, encourage others and start a cycle of "random acts of encouragement?" What if we were to take the ordinary circumstances of our day and let them be opportunities to encourage others with our words of appreciation? Jesus said: “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. (John 13:34-35, Galatians 6:3, 10 NLT)
Encouragement can be offered in a variety of ways: a word, a note, a prayer, a phone call, a visit, providing meeting information, or even accompanying the person to a meeting or appointment they may have. We can be a part of a support network for others in the same way that we have been supported in our recovery. We will experience encouragement ourselves as we offer it to others.
Prayer – Dear God, thank you for loving and encouraging me. Help me to appreciate others and to look around for the helpless and the lonely and encourage them to find new life in You. AMEN
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