"I believe in you!"

When I was a very young preacher, I worked with a man for several months who was an encourager. Dave saw past the foolishness of immaturity and encouraged me to develop the ministry gifts God gave to me. There was much in me he could have criticized, but he choose a different course. That's not to say he didn't correct me. He did, from time to time, with painfully honest words, but I always felt that even his corrections were designed to produce a better man, not to destroy me. Thirty plus years later, I still can feel the warmth of his affirmation, which he expressed even when my zeal outran my good sense!

The world is full of critics! Sadly, I have too often allowed myself to be one of them! One of the more amusing instances is during Sunday afternoon football. What I really know about football could be summed up in a very short essay, but as I watch teams play, I'll say things like, "What a dumb play! Why did that coach go for the field goal? They could have run the ball in for a TD." And so it goes! From my comfy perch in my big recliner, safely ensconced in my living room, I'm a 'big man' critic of the professionals who devote their entire lives to the game!

We criticize our politicians, our pastors, our neighbors, our kids, our wives, our co-workers, our kid's teachers... seeing their perceived failures and missing, too often, the real and wonderfully unique person we might otherwise know so much more deeply. Critics are dangerous, and thus, we avoid them, leaving them to wonder why they feel so alone, so alienated from their world; but encouragers are seldom lonely! We are drawn to people who call the best from us, who forgive us for our failures, who love us enough to tell us, "I believe in you!"

Are you a critic or an encourager? Please do not confuse flattery or empty praise with encouragement. Encouraging words are honest, without ulterior motive, unselfish, and from the heart. The Bible urges us to offer strength and encouragement to each other. Take a look at the wisdom of the Word. "Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, NLT)

I cannot think of a better way to mark Thanksgiving week than to cultivate an encouraging spirit.
Let me leave these thoughts from the Proverbs with you today. Meditate on the wisdom they contain and then - encourage!
Proverbs 11:25-30 (NLT)
The generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed....
If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you search for evil, it will find you!...
The godly are like trees that bear life-giving fruit, and those who save lives are wise.
___________________________

Out in the highways and byways of life,
Many are weary and sad.
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
Making the sorrowing glad.

Make me a blessing,
Make me a blessing,
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today


Make Me A Blessing
Wilson, Ira B. / Schuler, George S.Copyright: 1924.
Renewed 1952 Word Music, Inc. (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.).