my search to understand the bigger picture


Thursday, June 7, 2012

VOTD-June 7

Proverbs 16:24

"Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body."


encouragement it feels to me is a lost art.  rarely are we showered with praise for a job well done, but the moment you screw up, you know it.  countless people seem to have developed the gift of keeping others humble.  and that disturbs me.  


Truett Cathy, founder of Chic-fil-A, has said some interesting things about encouragement over the years.


"How do you identify someone who needs encouragement?  Answer: That person is breathing."


literally everyone you encounter has an encouragement deficiency these days.  no one ever gets upset at receiving a word of encouragement.  Truett also said:


"I get a lot of encouragement, but I've never got an overdose of encouragement."


this is astounding.  here we have an incredible businessman and leader, and he readily admits he's never received an overdose of encouragement.  how much more truth does this hold for those less accomplished by the world's standards?


i have worked hard at beginning to implement the practice of encouragement in my everyday life, and have been amazed at the power of a few encouraging words for someone.  many times, the timing couldn't have been better for them.  


so, i challenge you today, to give someone an overdose of encouragement.  if you lead a team of people, begin to focus your energies there.  work on your family and friends.  work on anyone that you come in contact with.  it really doesn't cost you anything, other than 5 seconds of time.  it's amazing how something so simple can bring such a large smile to someone's face.  

2 comments: