Thursday, January 12, 2012

Encourage Someone

I have set so many goals for 2012—more than I probably should have set for myself. It’s as if all of a sudden I realize that being “good” isn’t good enough. I can always strive to be better: a better Christian, a better wife, a better mother, a better daughter, sister, friend… One specific area I want to improve upon this year is being a better encourager to others.

“Encourage one another and build each other up.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV

So, how do you become a better encourager? Well, it’s relatively easy, but we so often do not make time to do it. It can be as simple as making a phone call, sending an email, sending a text—and all of those are great ways to encourage others. However, there is just something so special, yet different, about getting a card, isn’t there?

Cards say more than I care about you and what you are going through. They say that I care so much I took the time out of my schedule to pick out a card just for you, hand write my words of love, and send it to you. In my opinion, it says I care enough to be inconvenienced for “you”, maybe. It says I care enough that I want you to know “here is what is in my heart for you. Please receive it as something I truly want you to know and hear.” (DaySpring)

So, I was thrilled when DaySpring sent me this cute little packet of greeting cards to review!


It's a "Friendship Pack" to be used for friends who are going through a rough patch or for who you just want to know you are thinking of/praying for.

I was more-so excited, though, that DaySpring gave me that little “push” I needed to see the huge difference in sending an email/text and sending out a greeting card. Thank you DaySpring!

Who in your life needs to be encouraged? Family? Friends? Co-workers? Church Friends? Who would be blessed by hearing from you today?


Want to win $20 to DaySpring? What would you buy?

Leave me a message below and I’ll pick a winner =)
**Disclaimer: DaySpring provided me the greeting cards at no cost, but all opinions expressed here are my own.

4 comments:

Michele Lackey said...

If I won $20 to Daypring I would buy cards of encouragement also. Ever since our trip with the ladies at church, I have been praying about being a better encourager also. It is so easy to send a text or email like you said, but it takes thought and time to sit down and write out a card. I think that more cards and letters should be written!!! Thanks Elaine for your encouragement and your friendship!!! Love you :)

Piper said...

This is so good!! I too am trying to be more intentional about encouraging others. So many times when I need it the most someone says a kind word, or sends me an email or just gives me a hug and says, I love you or I am praying for you. We all get so busy about doing "our lives" that we fail to take the time for others. I used to be a card sender, if someone missed Sunday School, or to invite someone to Sunday School, or if they were sick, or just because.... and I can't remember for the life of me why I stopped.Just recently I picked up a pack of cards so I could give to my Secret person, and I realized I needed to get 2 packs because there are times God puts a person on my heart. I usually just pray for them...and now I am trying to send them a card to let them know that I did! Thanks for sharing, it definitely confirms what I already know!

Searching said...

I love the idea of the friendship pack of cards! I used to do like Piper did. I have a stack of condolence cards bc I am a nurse who often sees patients or babies towards the end of their lives & those are notes I do NOT want to forget to write. It is a privilege to be at the end of people's journeys and I like their families to know why their loved one was special to me and that they are in my prayers. I need to make more of an effort to get back to sending random cards. Decades later I hear of how important they were to people I never knew even cared!

Anonymous said...

Elaine,
I would use the cards for a few reasons. One would be the joy that I would feel knowing that the person who received the card knows that I not only thought of them, but I thought of them so much to send words of encouragement or a friendly hello. The other reason would be that you never know what anyone could be going through at any given time. By that I mean, if I think of someone I haven't thought about or seen in a while, I believe that God wants me to pray for them. It should be shared, that you not only thought of them, but you prayed for them as well. And you just planted a seed. They may in turn want to share with someone else and by one simple act you've created a chain reaction - of sorts. Just as you have done, here on your blog. Regardless of who gets the dayspring money, you've planted seeds within those of us that have taken time to read this. I feel you will be blessed in many ways for this! =)

Dawn

I began blogging several years ago in search of new friends who, like me, were having a difficult time getting pregnant. Five years, 2 miscarriages, 4 failed IUI's, and a doctor who told us "It will never happen" later, we are the proud parents of Kade and Kohen. They are each an example of God's absolute perfection. We thank God where medical intervention stops, Divine intervention begins.