My last few weeks have been all over the place. Lot's of ups and downs, lots of horrible situations happening to good people, feeling emotional, spread too thin and dare I say it???...overwhelmed.
I hate that word.
You see when I see myself as overwhelmed I see myself as failing. When I see my shortcomings I see weakness. When I feel betrayal, I feel unloved. When I feel out of control...I feel out of control.
This is me being honest with you.
It is rare for me to feel tired, or at the end of my rope. With 6 kids, half of them having special needs of some kind and all the other things on my mommy/volunteer plate I have felt frazzled as of late.
I think those closest to me have noticed this. Those who care have brought it up. Here are the types of discussions I have had regarding this season of my life.
I get people telling me to quit.
I get people telling me I have taken on too much.
I get people telling me I cannot save the world.
I get people telling me if one of my foster kids doesn't work out...perfectly...send them back.
I get ignored.
I get asked to do more. Cause heck, if I can do this much what is one more thing?
Then I get encouragement. This is RARE.
This should not be RARE.
For those of us who are Christians, the Bible tells us over and over again to encourage one another, help one another and build each other up.
Not tear down. Not give up because it is hard. Not discourage because maybe it causes an inconvenience in your life.
For non-Christians really encouragement is something we as a society, a people, thrive on. The pat on the back, or the "you got this!" can get you through the worst day.
I lack in the encouragement department as well. I could do much more to encourage and build up on a daily basis. Even in my own family.
However I will say this, one kind word, one cup of coffee, one friend caring enough to call you up and say "How are things?" can really change the way you look at a day, or a situation or your story.
Encouragement is free. It only adds goodness to life.
There is always a critic, there is always a pessimist, there is always someone ready to tear down...maybe because it makes them feel better for the lack of good they are doing in the world, maybe it's because they are jealous of the life you lead, maybe it's because they never learned to be an encourager...but it is time. Time to learn and time to set aside your judgments, your desires and your demands and be some good in someone's life.
It's time to build up, it's time to smile, it's time to lend a hand, to say "well done" to show whatever encouragement you have in that heart of yours. It will only make the world a better place.
Most of us already know where we are lacking, we don't need the world pouring it out at our feet.
Think of the lives you could change being that smile in someone's day. Just the thought of that puts a smile on my face. Hmmm...ENCOURAGEMENT. Something to ponder.
Be a blessing.
