I’ve always said I am an encourager but I didn’t look at it as encouraging myself. This morning during my quiet time, the following things were shared.

In the little devotional that PR shares via text he wrote:

IF YOU HAVE NO ONE TO ENCOURAGE YOU, INSTEAD OF USING THAT AS AN EXCUSE FOR FAILURE,
ENCOURAGE YOURSELF AND USE THAT AS A REASON WHY YOU MUST SUCCEED..
SO ENCOURAGE YOURSELF AND TURN AROUND AN ENCOURAGE SOMEONE ELSE –
YOU WILL FEEL BETTER IF YOU DO.
HAVE A TREMENDOUS TUESDAY !! MAKE YOUR DAY A GOOD ONE.

and my scripture for the day is

And in preparing for Bible study this week, I was asked two questions:

1. Name a specific example of true beauty (LOVE) in my life. How have I used my hands, my feet, my mouth in sharing LOVE?
2. Have you listened to your conversations lately? Are they seasoned with a dash of salt or lacking in flavor?

Sharing Love = Encouraging others

I’m amazed, AGAIN, how the Lord brings things together…this morning everything is focused on love and encouraging. As well, a question that was asked this past Sunday at church was “do you come to church to be served or do you come to church to serve (LOVE) others, keeps resonating through my mind.

When I’m feeling down I do tend to think “I wish so and so would call?” or “I want someone to just take care of me.” And YET today I am reminded that I am loved, I am encouraged by God, I am loved and encouraged in and by so many ways. Most of all I can be my own encourager! I need to love myself so that I am able to love others!!!

In answering the above questions I wrote: I try to use my crocheting and writing to bless others. Specifically I think about our time while we were gate guarding* ~ making special treats or meals for the drivers to share love and encouragement for many of the guys who were away from their spouses and families. Not to get recognition but to just love on them!

The second question really hits home with me as I am trying to be aware of the words that come out of my mouth and thus my thoughts…to stop complaining and to look for the good and positive in things.

Someone asked me yesterday how I was doing and I replied “okay.” But later when I was thinking about the conversation I realized I am more than okay. We have our little home on wheels safely parked where we living and we don’t have to worry about tires blowing or having enough gas money to get to the next place. We have groceries in the fridge and cupboards ~ not necessarily all the goodies I would love to have on hand, but we have food and plenty of it!

Finances ~ our biggest struggle and I think, why should that change…we have struggled financially in many different ways in our 47 years of marriage but we have always had enough. Maybe not extra money to do what I think we need to be doing, but enough to do what we need to do! Ron has a good job, one he enjoys which is allowing him/us to do Grammy & Grandpa Duty which is one of our most favorite things to do. Yes, money has been short in the bank and yes we bounced 3 checks or withdrawls but such is life and I know with two more paychecks our funds will be sufficient for our needs. I just need to be patient and extend grace and mercy to myself. And as I was reminded by my friend Conny, to pray and believe:

So today I step forward in peace, doing what I can and letting go of what I am unable to do. Knowing that I am loved by Jesus and so many others! And no matter what, I am never alone!!

*gate~guarding – one of us was on duty 24/7 checking in trucks bringing oil to the pipeline. One of us was always awake. Some days were super hard but for the most part, things were good. We met many men working and driving trucks, God put us in a place where Ron could face his breast cancer head on and not lose work for an extended period of time and most of all our love for each other and Jesus grew! Gate~guarding is not for everyone, but for us it worked and I’m thankful for the time we had in Texas.