Tag: encouragement

When Thanksgiving’s Not the Same: Three Ways to Recover Gratitude

Jeannie Waters24 Comments on When Thanksgiving’s Not the Same: Three Ways to Recover Gratitude

Ungrateful. Unsettled. Unexcited. I’m sorry to admit that was the state of my heart when I first contemplated Thanksgiving this year. My gratitude journal reflected numerous blessings, but the thought of another holiday without my mother saddened me.

Mama was the heart of festivities for every holiday gathering. She created traditions that made Thanksgiving my favorite day of the year–decorations and flower arrangements, prayer in a circle with family holding hands, croquet games after lunch, Monopoly after supper. What I miss most is being loved by her and hugging her.

Oh, the Thanksgiving meal– the world’s best dressing, steamed cauliflower with cheese sauce, turkey, rice with giblet gravy, cranberry sauce, tiny green peas, green bean casserole, apple salad, and rolls.

Supper was my favorite though–turkey sandwiches with lettuce, light mayo, salt and pepper, and a bit of sweet pickles. Sides included chips, congealed salad, and ambrosia, followed by numerous desserts served with coffee and laughter.

As I reflected on the Thanksgiving celebration I couldn’t enjoy this year, I chose to do what my parents did. I turned to the Lord and counted my blessings.

Are holidays difficult for you? Do you lament the unwelcome changes like I sometimes do? There are many reasons special occasions are painful. Tonight, I prayed for a friend who lost her husband this week and the family of a wayward teen who recently left home. Holiday celebrations seem to sharpen the pain of hurting hearts, don’t they?

When I turned to God last week, He renewed my heart, helped me recover my gratitude, and created an excitement for this special day set aside for giving thanks. Although I’m not suffering as many are this week, I have three suggestions to help us enjoy a Thanksgiving that is “not the same.”

No, it’s not as simple as 1, 2, 3, and I’m not pretending my words could heal your heart or renew your holiday joy. However, God can transform our Ungrateful, Unsettled, and Unexcited into Grateful, Peaceful, and Joyous.

Three Ways to Recover Gratitude

1. Reflect on past joys.

Ponder sweet memories of past Thanksgivings. Write them in a journal to treasure.

If tears come, cry.

My mom spent her last Thanksgiving in bed. As my brother’s poodle trotted from her bedside to the table wondering why Mema had not joined us, my heart broke.

If funny happenings come to mind, laugh.

One year my mother used a disposable pan for the dressing. When she removed it from the oven, some of the “took-a-whole-day-to-make” delicacy flipped out onto the floor. My normally meticulous mother quickly scooped it up with a spoon, returned it to the pan, and said, “It’s okay; I just mopped this floor. But don’t tell anyone!” I never told—until now. Shhhhh!

2. Remember to “brighten someone’s day.”

That’s the tagline for my website because encouraging people toward the truths of God’s Word offers hope and comfort. Who in your circle of influence needs those blessings?

  • Is this the first Thanksgiving without a loved one for someone you know? How could you add sunshine to their day?
  • Can you call someone to say thank you for their influence in your life?
  • Is there a busy cook who would appreciate a helping hand and acknowledgment of hard work?
  • Would a restless child in a room full of relatives enjoy taking a walk or playing a game?
  • Does someone you know need to hear that Jesus offers forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life?

Brightening someone’s day will pierce your cloud with sunshine.

3. Rejoice in thanksgiving to God, the Giver of all gifts (James 1:17).

Listing our blessings changes our focus from need to gratitude. A two-year-old I know recently called, “Tank you,” to each nurse, doctor, and tech who administered care to her in the ER. Simple gratitude.

I’m praying for each reader that whether you’re experiencing grief, pain, or frustration, God will fill your hearts with joy and help you recover gratitude as you look to Him.

 Now it’s your turn

 Please share a Thanksgiving memory or a suggestion that helped you when holidays changed.

If you choose to leave a comment about your need, it will be my privilege to pray for you.

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High.

                                                                                                        –Psalm 92:1 ESV

Be Encouraged to Encourage

Jeannie Waters14 Comments on Be Encouraged to Encourage

by Evelyn Wells

I’m happy to introduce my first guest blogger! Evelyn Wells is my sweet cousin who recently won an award for her writing. I’m so proud of her and thankful she agreed to share encouragement with us. Her bio follows the post.

Here’s her post:

“You did a great job with your presentation.” “How beautiful your house is, all decorated for Christmas!” “Wow! Dinner is delicious. You’re a great cook.” “Thank you so much for your visit. It brightened my day.”

Don’t we all love to be appreciated? Kind words encourage us, and can make our day; we walk away with a spring in our step and a smile on our face. We have been affirmed. When someone gifts me with words of affirmation, my spirit is lifted and, as a result, I find myself looking for opportunities to affirm and encourage others.

In the Bible, God gives us a mandate to encourage one another. The Greek word for “encourage” is parakaleo, and it appears more than 100 times in the New Testament. While speaking kind words to others is a form of encouragement, another is showing support to those who need it.

There are opportunities all around us we can use to encourage others, such as:

  • Smile and speak to the person behind you in the grocery line.
  • Smile at those you meet on the street or in a hallway.
  • In heavy traffic, let a car merge in front of you.

  • Sit with a visitor in church.
  • Volunteer in a food bank.
  • Take a hand-picked bouquet to a family member who is going through a difficult time.

  • Send cards: Birthday, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day/Father’s Day, Sympathy, Encouragement, Thinking of You, etc. Or better yet, send a handwritten note.

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

                                                                                         –1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV

Encouragers are people who can relate to others in a positive way, and are able to focus on others rather than focusing on themselves. One of the greatest encouragers in the New Testament was Paul. Part of his ministry was writing letters to the churches while he was in prison, so he could encourage them in their walk with the Lord.

Likewise, encouragement is necessary to our walk of faith. When we encourage others, we give hope. This helps them through times of conflict or illness, and encouragement nurtures kindness. Even in the church we find those who desperately need to be encouraged; we may need encouragement as well. If we can encourage at least one person daily, that act of kindness may very well change that person’s life for eternity.

Please share how someone has encouraged you or how you have given hope to another person.

Meet Evelyn Wells, guest blogger

Evelyn is a contributing author to “Heart Renovation: A Construction Guide to Godly Character” (Lighthouse Bible Studies), “Glimmers of Heavenly Light,” (Faith Books & More), “Let the Earth Rejoice” (Worthy Inspired), “Breaking the Chains” (2018 Selah finalist, Lighthouse Bible Studies), and “Just Breathe” (Worthy/Ellie Claire). She is a regular writer for “Refresh Bible Study Magazine.”

Passionate about glorifying God through her writing and speaking, Evelyn enjoys spending time on short-term mission trips, both domestic and foreign. She loves attending Bible Studies and spiritual retreats, and loves having good conversation with friends over lunch or a glass of tea. She is also an avid fan of the Georgia Bulldogs and Atlanta Braves. She can be contacted by emailing her at wellsevelyn5@gmail.com or twitter.

Evelyn enjoys a good book, her two cats, traveling, and especially spending time with her children and grandson.

The Bossy Wren

Jeannie Waters8 Comments on The Bossy Wren

Incessant chirping signaled the urgent need for food. The infant bobble-head birds were crying for Mrs. Wren’s beak-to-beak deposits. They were desperate.

Mother Bird was perfectly willing and able to provide for her babies. She flew with winged efficiency from the nearest “supermarket” to her nest inside her  birdhouse. (Ahem . . . OUR birdhouse) The only hindrance was me! I was sitting at the deck table, minding my own business, when she started fussing at me. (Warning: I like to put words in the mouths, I mean beaks, of our feathered friends.)

“Get off of this deck and go back inside where you belong,” she yelled. “You are an imminent threat to my babies and I won’t have it! Move this instant from my property!”

Well, I never! I turned my back hoping that this bossy little diva would think of me as less threatening. She quickly darted to the worm “aisle,” retrieved a juicy bit of meat, and perched even closer to me. Now, because her mouth was full of medium rare worm burger, I anticipated a silent stare. But I received much more than that. She cocked her tiny head and proceeded to chortle choice words in my direction. “I’m warning you, you big human intruder. For the last time, get off of MY deck! I’m trying to feed babies here.”

I reluctantly left my outdoor sanctuary and headed inside. The tiny “David” had conquered “Goliath.” She won. After all, she had babies to feed.

In addition to creating amusement, that feisty little wren illustrated a biblical truth, that of provision. With instinct and skill, the mother bird provided sustenance for her wide-mouthed fledglings. She knew their precise need and how to meet it. The only requirement on their part was to display hunger by “asking” for food and staying in a position to receive it.

The wren family interactions remind me of how God promises to meet our needs. Our heavenly Father knows what we require and longs to provide for us. In fact, one of His names is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider. Not that His responses always come in the time and manner we prefer, but we can trust Him. Isn’t that an encouraging thought? Our responsibility is to talk to Him in prayer, remain in a posture of faith, and read and obey His Word.

Do you know someone who needs to focus on God’s promises? Perhaps you could share a Bible verse in a card or speak an encouraging word to that person this week. Let’s tuck God’s promises into our heart and be prepared to share them. Like the industrious wren, we can use our God-given gifts for the benefit of someone else.

Please share below a time when you were reminded of God’s provision or when someone met a need for you. Thanks for reading.

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. –Philippians 4:19 ESV

Be the “Sunflower” in Someone’s Day

Jeannie Waters12 Comments on Be the “Sunflower” in Someone’s Day

Sunflowers make me smile.

They just look sunny with their petals extending like rays of sunshine. These stunning beauties stand in contrast to the sky and nearby vegetation, punctuating the landscape with brilliant color. These flowers intrigue me for several reasons.

Vincent van Gogh, working in southern France, selected sunflowers out of all of God’s creation as the subjects of five paintings in 1888 and 1889. Maybe the artist chose them because they naturally draw the eye or maybe the sunflowers he saw brightened his day.

Sunflowers remind me of cheerful people who brighten the day wherever they are. Does someone who fits that description come to mind? Is there someone you’re always glad to see? Do you know a person who seeks to encourage other people?

Speaking kind words, calling a person by name with eye contact, offering help, or simply smiling warms the heart of the recipient.

Encouraging people are like sunflowers.

  • They both stand tall in contrast to their surroundings. In an environment of stress, gossip, or discouragement, a sunflower person can turn the atmosphere from negative to positive.
  • These floral wonders follow the sun’s position from morning to evening. (For word-loving and science-loving readers, the term is phototropism.) The Bible promises hope and peace to those who follow Christ Jesus, God’s Son. (Colossians 1:27, Psalm 29:11)
  • Sunflowers point west in late afternoon. Supportive friends can point the way to wise counsel, a brighter outlook, or tangible help.
  • These plants not only provide beauty but offer useful gifts such as yummy seeds and the oil that flavors my favorite popcorn. Encouraging people add value to the lives of others by offering positive words, acts of kindness, or small gifts that bring joy and hearten others.
  • Sunflowers, just like people, come in many varieties. Regardless of our gifts or background, opportunities to Brighten Someone’s Day abound.

         Be a “sunflower” in someone’s life today! 

Therefore encourage one another and build one
another up, just as you are doing.-1Thessalonians 5:11 ESV

Your Turn to Share . . .Let’s gather ideas!

Where do you find encouragement? How do you pass it along to others?
I look forward to reading your contributions in the comments below!
And if you would please subscribe, I’ll send weekly updates.

Thank you!