About the Author

Robin is the author of For All Who Wander, her relatable memoir about wrestling with doubt that reads much like a conversation with a friend. She's as Southern as sugar-shocked tea, married to her college sweetheart, and has three children. An empty nester with a full life, she's determined to...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. I love when I’m feeling down if a sister in faith listens to me and says I believe you are in pain. I am here to listen. When people say Buck up God loves you, it’s like they want me to just be fake. It is nice to have someone listen to me. That caring meant so much I knew God’s love made it okay and things were going to turn out. It made all the difference.

    • Ariel,

      Being heard makes such a difference indeed. I’m so thankful you have that person (or those people) in your life, Ariel.

  2. I love the idea of a Power Hour. When I was a school counselor, and conflict arose between students, one activity to mend feelings was having them say something positive about the other person/s. It always amazed me how quickly the children would be able to overcome hurt feelings and move forward.

    • Madeline,

      Your comment made me think how much easier children sometimes reconcile compared to grown-ups. Being quick to forgive and offer kind words is beautiful.

  3. I’ve been blessed to have some college kids that text me prayer requests. I immediately as possible text a prayer for whatever is the request calling on God’s character that ministers to that issue. I then blow them away days later by following up to find out the details how God answered the request. They are pointed to the God who is able to meet their needs & then reinforced that I was listening & I care. My husband & I are called their Columbia parents. We laugh that we didn’t birth them, diaper them or pay for college & yet are so honored to be highly thought of. It’s a God thing for sure. Praying & follow up is such a wonderful gift! Thanks for this post with other great suggestions to be encouraging to others!!!

    • What a blessing those college kids have in you, Ruth! (and I know you must delight in them) To point them to Jesus is what will serve them best <3.

  4. I hear what you’re saying, and I agree that it’s true that we all need encouraging and need to be generous with doling it out. I appreciate the three ways to encourage you provided. “Without trying to fix what’s broken” I think is key to distinguishing between encouraging and codependency. It made me a little nervous reading “What if we approached every encounter with our family, friends, and neighbors as if we had the power to make it better?” The truth is (and we probably are both on the same wavelength here) we absolutely do not have the power to fix everything that’s broken, and approaching a situation like I do can set me up to play a very warped role in a codependent relationship. Anyway, I’m sure that’s not what you meant, and I appreciate your message. I just wanted to draw that distinction between codependency and encouragement for anyone else who has ever been sucked into the realms of the unhealthy.

    • Hi Pearl,

      I hear you and 100% agree that we have zero power to *fix* what’s broken. I do think we can control our responses to every conversation and that means we can make them better….or worse. I hope you hear my heart in this :). And, goodness, indeed–codependency is dangerous and toxic, and you’ve made some good points. (I used to not set healthy boundaries with friends, and I learned the hard way why that’s crucial in relationships!!) Thank you for sharing your experience and perspective.

  5. I liked the key phrase Strong Girls Lift Each Other. I shared it with my girl friends and they each loved it as well. That phrase started an uplift with my sister that we both needed today! Thank you for this wonderful message today and PTL, always!!

  6. Robin,

    As a weightlifter, I loved that quote. Thanks for sharing that as well as this encouraging post. Much appreciated and much needed for many of us. May we be encouragers.

    • Oh, Jennifer…I love that. I’m not working out in this season, but it still struck a chord with me. What does it REALLY mean to be strong, you know? Yes…indeed…may we all be encouragers! xo

  7. Robin,

    God has made me an encourager. Love sending texts, cards or emails to others letting them know they are being prayed for & loved. You can always find me at work (ICU clerical at large hospital) cheering on the patients when they go from bed to chair-especially if they get up & walk the halls. It makes them smile & know that someone cares.

    I have some really close friends that know I’m a safe place to land. I’ll listen to you speak but not even try to fix it. Sometimes I may say “I’ll pray for you” that’s it. They in turn do the same for me. It’s nice to be the one people can confide to.

    Blessings 🙂