Encouragement

Encouraging one another is something we are called to do.  1 Thessalonians 5:11 states, "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."  For those of us that value "words of affirmation" (those who have read The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman will understand well) as much as I do, simple words of encouragement may change the tone of our entire day, or maybe our whole week!  I strive to be an encouraging wife, mother, and friend, but I know I could do better, and I honestly will pray that I do better to encourage those who are sometimes the hardest for me to encourage...we all have those people in our lives, right?

Today I was encouraged by this poem posted on Facebook by my dear friend, Anniina, who lives in Finland.  We shared 2 years together with our friends The Halonens when we were all living in Pennsylvania, and it's wonderful to continue to be encouraged by such a special friend who lives almost half the world away!  Even though I don't get to see Anniina or her precious family anymore, I am encouraged not only by this poem but by knowing she is loving her children so well and doing it all in the name of Jesus.        

Loving Jesus 

By: Megan Breedlove

I started my day early,

Before the room was light.

I lifted my son from his crib

And wished it was still night.

But as I held him close and said,

“Hi, Kenneth, precious one,”

I knew that as I greeted him,

I greeted too God’s Son.

When my daughter woke up later,

Calling, “Mommy! Mommy! Down!”

I picked her up and hugged her

In her worn Elmo nightgown.

I know she felt the closeness

That a mother’s touch affords.

I welcomed not just Ellie,

But so, too, the Lord of Lords.

That day, I mixed some formula

And opened jars of peas.

I fixed some “pizza butter” bread

When she grinned and said, “Pleeeeease.”

I heated up some leftovers;

I had to nuke them twice.

And when I fed my children,

I was feeding Jesus Christ.

I made some funny faces,

And “played puzzles” on the floor.

I dressed kitties, ran around outside,

And played with them some more.

We laughed and jumped and tickled,

Making memories to be stored.

When I spent time with my children,

I spent time with my Lord.

I wiped up sticky cereal

And washed the dishes clean.

I straightened, picked up, put away,

And dusted in between.

I did six loads of laundry

And folded it like new.

When I cleaned for my children,

I cleaned for my Savior, too.

When my children were both crying,

I held them in my arms.

I cuddled them and whispered

That I’d keep them safe from harm.

I told them how their Father saved them

With His perfect Lamb.

When I comforted my children,

I comforted I AM.

Later on that evening,

I put them in the bath.

I washed their little bodies

As they kicked around and splashed.

I dried them in soft towels

And put their jammies on.

When I had washed my children’s feet,

I’d washed the Holy One.

I cooked and cleaned and rearranged,

Made beds and taught and played.

I made sure that we had food to eat

And that we often prayed.

I died to self. I made a home

From ordinary things.

But when I served my children,

I served the King of Kings.

To some, I have done nothing,

But to two, I’ve done the world.

I made eternal difference

To my precious boy and girl,

And to the One who watches over

Every pathway that I’ve trod.

For when I’ve loved my precious children,

I’ve loved Almighty God.

Another friend of mine from my PEP Moms group, Amanda Martin, is always intentional in reminding us that motherhood is a high calling.  I believe that will all of my heart and do not take it lightly.  Thank you to everyone out there who encourages me to be the best I can be!

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."  
Hebrews 10:24-25