Five decades ago, I surrendered my life to Christ Jesus my LORD. I did it in a small Pentecostal prayer meeting that I was invited to by my mother. Not too long after that, the leader of that meeting had a service where he spoke into the lives of a few people. I was one.
When he began to pray over me, he said I had a “gift of encouragement.” I was a bit disappointed because a couple people before me “had” gifts of healings and miracles. I didn’t think encouragement stacked up very well against those.
“If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging.” [Romans 12:8 NLT]
Over the years I came to appreciate the gift of encouraging. I found it was a deep motivation for everything else I did, including pastoring, teaching, working in Hospice and with grieving people.
I was a bit lost after retiring from full-time ministry. I wondered what I would do now. Well, I have discovered that I am finding much delight in simply encouraging. I love going to church, love talking to people. I love giving hugs, sharing love, praying with and for others.
We all need encouragement. We all need someone willing to pray for us, willing to help share our burdens. We need people to pick us up when we are down, to walk with us when we are lonely, to fight with us when we are in times of testing.
I love being an encourager!
Thank you, LORD, for the best gift! Amen.
