encouragement

I received an early morning call from my husband. I could hear the excitement in his voice. “Are you up? I need your help…” He had gotten up at 4:30 am to head out in the pitch dark to check his trap line which he had been attending to all week. Each morning upon his return I would ask, “How did you do today?” He would offer an answer of disappointment. But he had not given up nor lost hope! He continued his efforts.

This was only his second session this trapping season. The first ended with a broken down 4 wheeler which left him with no choice but to pull the entire line that he had invested that entire morning setting.

Sensing his disappointment and lack of success, as his wife I did what I often do on his behalf. I went to the Lord in prayer! Not only did the Lord answer my prayers, He exceeded them.

The exciting phone call was the report of a harvested bobcat! He has often communicated his desire of catching a bobcat and now his desire was complete. A disappointing beginning has turned out to be very exciting!

We can choose to be supporters of our loved ones interests, whether it is photography, outdoor exploration, hunting, sports, coaching, fishing, woodworking or any other hobby. I don’t participate in Steve’s trap line often but I do try to go out with him at least once a season. I’m a huge supporter of Steve and if it’s important to him it’s important to me.

I love that my God is able to do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine according to His power that is at work within me! When I went to Him in prayer I did not ask specifically for a bobcat but God knew that would fulfill Steve’s desire and He did immeasurably more than I asked! He’s such a grand God!

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)

Image courtesy of Gloria Stucky

As I participated in a 10K race this past weekend I was reminded of the importance of well timed encouragement. At times, we all need encouragement which can come in different forms. Sometimes it comes from family, your closest friends, an acquaintance or even a stranger. Who is your greatest encourager?

My greatest life encourager is my husband. As I ran the race he and my son positioned themselves where they could be there twice throughout the course to cheer me on. But as I approached the spot where I expected them I did not locate them. I immediately felt disappointed. I realized how much I was looking forward to seeing them and receiving their encouragement.

As I got closer I located them. They had moved back from their normal spot to find shelter from the rain. As expected, they cheered me on and encouraged my efforts. I felt a small sense of pride as I was accomplishing something outside of my normal behavior and it just plain felt good to share it with my family. I knew in that moment they were proud of me. Don’t tell them but I even picked up my pace while running by.

Sometimes our family and friends are not our best cheerleaders. It turns out that some of the best fans are strangers – people we don’t even know placed strategically throughout the course cheering us on toward our goal. There were hundreds of people lining the course clapping and yelling words of encouragement. One of my favorites was the lady with a water hose who sprayed my backside as I passed. Some were even holding signs.

A few of my favorite signs:

“I trained 6 months to hold this sign.”

“Yes, this does make your butt look fast.”

“You are not half way.”

Hebrews 10:24-25 says “²⁴And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

This is a picture of purposefully making an effort to encourage one another. How will you purposefully encouraged someone this week? Your encouragement may be just what they need to make it to the next mile mark.

“Cowboy Boot With Spur And Horse” Image courtesy of [franky242] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tag: encouragement

Trap Line Success!

Spur One Another On