I blew my nose again, steadied myself on the back of the couch, and then shuffled to the door. I picked up a brown bag left on the front porch. Inside was cold Gatorade, sliced watermelon, some multigrain crackers, a hunk of Gruyère cheese, and a box of tissues. I was suffering from a fresh bout of Covid while my family was away enjoying our summer vacation. My body ached with a fever but this kindness from my next-door neighbor flooded my heart with encouragement.
Another day, I stepped out on that same front porch to check on my boys. They were across the street cleaning up tree branches my husband had trimmed. The sun was hot and they had taken their shirts off. My youngest stood inside a trashcan brimming with leaves, jumping to smash down the green waste as his older brother held his hands for balance. It wasn’t their favorite way to spend a Sunday afternoon, but what a blessing to our elderly neighbor and an encouragement to my mama heart.
Soon after, my body had recovered from sickness but my heart was heavy with discouragement. I knew fresh air and movement would help so I stepped outside for a neighborhood walk. As I searched Spotify trying to decide between music and podcast — but feeling too soul-weary to really enjoy either — my phone dinged with a text. I read the black words in the light gray bubble. It was just what I needed to hear. Soul support directly from God’s heart through a friend’s fingertips. Evidence that I am seen, thought of, loved. My heart once weighed down instantly buoyed with encouragement.
THIS is the power of encouragement. Simple gestures with big impact. Intentional care with eternal significance.
Paul writes in Romans 15:13 (NLT), “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
It’s just as James says, “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.”
God is the Source of all hope, the Giver of every good thing — but He invites us to be His messengers.
Whether by practical support, a helping hand, or comforting words, we all have the ability to encourage others!
Today is National Day of Encouragement! It’s the perfect time to give thanks for the ways God has infused your heart with hope and look for ways you can love and encourage those around you.
Here are 10 simple ways to be a messenger of encouragement right where you are:
- Set an extra plate for dinner and invite a coworker or neighbor to join you.
- Pack up leftovers and take them to a busy mom or single friend.
- Leave an encouraging note on the fridge or bathroom mirror for a family member or roommate.
- Text a friend Romans 15:13 or another verse that’s encouraged your heart.
- Pause and pray for someone today — and tell them that you did.
- Do a chore for a neighbor: bring in the trashcans, sweep the porch, wash their car.
- Send a hand-written card to someone you haven’t connected with in a while.
- Give a sincere compliment to three people you see today.
- Take a treat or snack to someone you appreciate, such as a teacher, pastor, secretary, barista, nurse, or crossing guard.
- Ask God how you can bring hope and encouragement to someone who needs it, and do whatever He says!
Or, a bonus #11 – pick out a gift from DaySpring to encourage someone you love! To celebrate National Day of Encouragement and Thinking of You Week, DaySpring is giving away a free card & a fun surprise in every order today, September 12th, while supplies last! Also, you can enjoy 30% off these carefully selected Cards and Prayers to Share using the code CARD30.
Take a moment to think – who could use a smile, a word of encouragement, or a reminder of God’s love?
Let’s make a difference with hope this National Day of Encouragement. A single word of encouragement or simple gesture can light up someone’s day, give them strength, or remind them they are loved. Who comes to mind to encourage today?
Becky,
I didn’t even know there was a national encouragement day, and I love every single one of your ideas to show kindness to others! I’m sharing your devotion now! What an encouragement.
Sending you joy,
Lisa Wilt
Dear Becky…..Loved your words today. This is the way I live my life as not too many people like your ( in ) community do the same for me in this now even more complicated and serious issue. I have always been this way my mother told me since I was 5 years old. At almost 77 years old in 2 weeks, that is so many card and many other things I have done for peopled before I had to sell our house of 40 years due to my husband’s violent dementia. I am in a facility now where I don’t need to be, but I had nowhere else to go. I love those cards. I have had them for awhile and I just tried to preorder a book from Amazon but they will not let me create an account so I do not know what else to do. Thank you so much Becky as your words are always helpful and give me more tips of the way to add to my encouragement things that I do. Unfortunately we do not have a kitchen here, just a refrigerator and microwave, but I used to love to cook or back things for others. Hope you have a nice day and I send you my love and please keep sending us these daily devotions. Every single one teaches me something or encourage me to work harder and keep praying. God Bless you and your (in) community. I do not think I could continue without these morning words…………………………….Betsy Basile
I love all your ideas of ways to encourage others. I needed a reminder to check on a friend whose husband is having serious health issues, and I had forgotten to check in this week, so thanks for that reminder!
Becky – this is so timely as my husband and I are recovering from Covid. So many friends and neighbors offered to run errands or pick up groceries. We are blessed to live in a neighborhood where everyone cares about each other. God led us here almost 30 years ago. One of our favorite things to do is sit outside and talk with neighbors, which we missed while isolating. Back outside this afternoon!
Becky it does make you think in all you said. That we can change the world by being kind and caring to all People as well as those we know. Showing love to everyone. By doing the things we can do that you gave us an example of. Most of when we go to hear from our Minster Salvation Army Officer or Pastor. Depending on what Church we go to in their sermon from time to time. On loving your Neighbour. Like Jesus said to love your Neighbour. Then Jesus said who is Neighbour? Your Neighbour is someone you can help when in need showing them the love of Jesus. Like in making them a meal or a meal for their Family like casserole or home made soup etc. If they are struggling make meals for themselves with bills to pay and buy food as well for themselves or if have Family too. That can be hard and put stress on them and their Family if have one. All this sad. So you making a meal for them or their Family if got one can put a smile on their face to know someone out there cares. When they could be thinking no one cares. God does when he uses us that are saved to help those less well of than us. We could also help someone if not able to by cutting their lawn if needed. Bring them for coffee to cheer them up if don’t get out of their house that often. As don’t have anyone to bring them especially if don’t drive. By doing things like this you are showing them the love of Jesus. Especially if not saved. They will see that love in you. If asked you can say I doing because I care and because Jesus would want me to do. As I Jesus and I love you too. You can also let them know your praying for them if they feel the world is on their shoulders as the saying goes. They if not saved through this will see Jesus in you. Jesus would want you to this especially if saved to show his love to them. More so if they are not saved. They will see the People of Jesus love them and care. We are not those types of People who don’t care. As some People can think about those that are saved. Say they are not very Christian when they will not even come to help us or ask us if we are ok can I do anything for you. Because they could think we are wrapped up in their own world. We have to show them the love of Jesus through us that are saved. Doing the things that I have said. Will show them this as Jesus did this when walked on earth. We can be his disciples by doing the saved and they will smile and so will Jesus. So we can show hope to all People especially the unsaved. We by that can change the world one Person at time and one day at time. Thank you Becky for today’s reading I just love it. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little Enniskillen Co.Fermanagh N.Ireland xx
Encouragement is important. It can be in big or little ways. The biggest thing is just to show and support in any way that we can. Thanks for the reminder. ❤️
Soul support directly from Loved this phrase: “God’s heart through a friend’s fingertips.”