With all the negatives oppressing our psyches each day, I submit we who know Christ need to become salt and light. In other words, we need to add the zest and beauty which encourages others.
I know in my heart I need to visit sick friends. I find it very difficult to do so. Perhaps it’s not my gift. I do not readily show compassion and can easily become depressed when I encounter the sadness of illness, especially if the prognosis is not optimistic.
However, I find it within my capabilities to show encouragement. One of my favorite things to do is to create little nosegay bouquets from cut garden flowers and greenery. I put together several stems, wrap a wet paper towel and aluminum foil around the stems, stick the whole bouquet through a paper doilie, and tie it with a bright ribbon. Then I deliver these to people, usually in church, who are recovering, or who have faced difficulties that week, or just seem to need a bit of encouragement.
The whole process takes about ten minutes but brings inevitable smiles, thank you’s and brightens others’ days.
The salt part is easy for me too. I love to provide meals for families in need, or to entertain. It’s an encouragement to our small group of seniors, several of whom are in compromised health situations, if I can provide lunch before our weekly covenant group meeting in our home. I can’t afford to do it often, but when we do casually get together over a meal, as we will do this Wednesday, it allows for informal conversation and a feeling of well-being is the result for all.
A third encouragement is sending cards. Hallmark and other companies have finally learned that many suffer from chronic conditions, such as cancer, and need bright moments while they are undergoing treatment. It’s an easy thing to send a card to such a one on a routine basis, so these loved ones know others care about their struggles.
So, if this short blog is an encouragement for you to become an encourager, then I too am encouraged!
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