Thought for the week Encouragement

An e-mail I received this week contained the following thought:

Maya Angelou was interviewed on her 70+ birthday and she said, ‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’

I have a friend who is very good at this. She seems to find it easy to praise even the smallest thing. I come away from meeting her, smiling and feeling more positive about myself. Just a few minutes with her makes me feel good.

It would be fantastic if we could all be like her. If we could all find ways to encourage our family, friends, work-mates and the cashier at the supermarket till.

If we desire to build relationships with others, and bring them into the kingdom of God, then this is a small step along the way to making this happen.

“encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Dear God

Encourage us,

that we might encourage one another.

Inspire us,

that we may inspire one another.

Strengthen us,

that we may strengthen one another.

Remember us,

that we may remember one another.

Amen

(prayer by Sophie Piper © Lion Hudson)