Leo was an American author and motivational speaker and a professor known as “Dr. Love” based on his teachings about love, human connection and personal growth. When I thought about what to write about this week, the concept of being kind and an encourager crossed my mind as I finished my last cup of coffee, gazing out my window as snowflakes debated whether to continue falling from gray clouds or retreat for a while. Kindness and encouragement have always been important to me–though admittedly I certainly have my share of awful behavior–yet, at the core of my being is a desire to love well, compliment and acknowledge the goodness of people I meet, to cheer on family members who, like me, are doing their best every day to achieve dreams, goals, live life through its ups and downs.
Looking back on the last few months, I’m able to see that I’ve got friends who are going through some very hard stuff such as grief from the loss of a child, another with a spouse experiencing unexpected physical ailments which required a few days in a hospital as well as those eking out a living to care for growing children, making ends meet with the resources available to them.
As always–even though I like what Mr. Buscaglia said–I ask myself “what does the bible have to say about….fill in the blank. So, what does the bible have to say about being an encourager. Thankfully, a lot.
In 1 Thessalonians 5: 11: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
Proverbs 16: 24 “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”
“Let your speech be helpful, building others up as needed.” (Ephesians 4:29).
Those are but three scriptures to describe how we should conduct ourselves regarding kindness, encouragement, and love. There’s plenty more, which makes me believe that God wanted us to know His heart through these words.
Does it take a lot of time or energy to be kind? Goodness, no. But it does take intentionality, even humility. Do you thank the person who bagged your large grocery order? Do you say “thank you” to someone who held a door open for you? (which by the way is a great gesture to teach young children) If you’re a man, do you open the car door for your wife? (mine does) and he still insists on walking by the curbside of the sidewalk, a form of protection gentlemen assumed years ago when escorting a woman on dirty and dangerous streets.
I could write a lot about encouragement and kindness. Lord, knows many of us need a review–even lessons–on what I assume to be common sense. Sadly, common sense is sometimes a rarity in our current culture no matter a person’s standing in society. Proof of the matter is found in countless social media posts and reels, media headlines, commentaries from the very people we rely upon for local, national, and world news. Yet, much of the rhetoric we are bombarded with on a daily basis is out of our control, for in reality none of us can truly change the persona or actions of another person, but we CAN change our own attitudes, choice of language whether spoken or written, and above all–how we treat other people regardless of their role in workplaces, our churches, the places we shop or go for entertainment, and most crucially– in the center of our family homes.
I “encourage” you this week–and in weeks ahead–to find ways to compliment someone, to say “thank you” for what may appear as merely being a common small task, to offer a smile to a stranger sitting across from you in a waiting room. Look for a child who needs an extra bit of courage, catch a kid doing something kind and tell them “way to go!”
What will happen? You’ll feel like you’re a better person from a small moment of kindness that brought light into someone’s dark day. Like Leo said, you “may turn a life around”….you’ll become more and more like Jesus who is the author of perfect love, kindness, and encouragement in its purest form!
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