As a college freshman, I watched a friend struggle with world history. Despite the fact that she won valedictorian at her high school, she barely squeezed out a “C” in Professor Anderson’s class.
Since I had not been valedictorian, I avoided the class. Instead, I took the summer course at my hometown community college. Summer classes are intense—three hours a night, three nights a week—covering a full semester’s work in a few weeks. Then I missed three days—nine hours—the equivalent of three weeks work (Yes, youth camp was more fun than summer school).
The next Monday, a friend said, “Tonight, we will be tested on the material presented while you were gone.”
I wanted to give up.
I sat on the ottoman at the foot of my father’s favorite chair and told him my dilemma. “I’ve decided to drop the class.”
He removed his reading glasses and looked at me with his clear blue eyes. “Karen, read the textbook, then take the test tonight. If you fail, I’ll let you drop the class. If you do well, you can finish the course.”
I studied hard, passed the test, and finished the semester with a “B.” Those few encouraging words gave me the boost I needed.
Good thing too. Because, during the second summer semester, I met George at that community college, and we were married a year later. Without my Daddy’s gentle push, I would have quit school and not been there to meet my husband.
Encouragement words are powerful.
David lived in danger and fear because Saul, the king, followed hot on his trail and intended to kill him. “While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life. And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.” (See I Samuel 23:15–16.)
Jonathan, Saul’s son and heir to the throne, encouraged David instead of following in his father’s evil plans. He helped David find strength in God. Jonathan pointed David to the source of all strength.
When my beloved father died, our pastor said, “Karen, I don’t know how you feel, but I care how you feel.” Those words comforted and encouraged me. He could have quoted Scripture or said that death always follows life. He could have told me to celebrate my heritage from my godly father or done some practical deed for our family. Any of these actions would have been nice and helpful, but saying he cared encouraged me the most.
When we make a show of encouragement by speaking kind words, sending thoughtful cards and letters, and visiting in person, we are encouragers.
The church council in Jerusalem sent Paul and Barnabas, along with Barsabbas and Silas, to Antioch. They sent a letter to the believers there. “The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message.” (See Acts 25:31.)
Encouraging words, whether spoken or written, build up others and offer hope. Tell your friend she is a capable, valuable person and then see what happens.
When I first began speaking, a Christian educator’s club invited me to speak. The thought of standing in front of a bunch of schoolteachers intimidated and terrified me. I doubted I could pull it off.
One week before the big night, I found an encouraging card taped to my front door. The next day, another card appeared. For seven days, I found a new card taped to the door. Each card was sweet encouragement.
My friend Mary Sinclair placed those cards on my door because she believed I could do it. By the time of the event, I believed it too.
Become an encourager by speaking words and writing cards and letters. Your encouraging words will change another person’s life.
Adapted from Karen’s book I’ll Bring the Chocolate: Satisfying a Woman’s Craving for Friendship and Faith. Used by permission.
