Sunday Sentiments

 

I have to pause to talk about the gift of Friday's blog post. 

I think for all (or nearly all, anyway) the time we've been married, Ryan has asked to write the blog post for my birthdays. I gladly let him and try to get him to pop in even more often with his wit and wisdom, but he firmly declares he isn't a writer. (And when I typed that sentence, I wrote "he isn't a riter," so I think we all know that even I am not a great one sometimes. Ha!)

He started two or three weeks ago on that birthday post and spent so many hours working on it that I wondered what in the WORLD he was concocting. 

I did not expect the beauty I found. 

He asked me to read it the night before to make sure everything sounded and looked okay, but he did not tell me to bring along a box of tissues. I started reading and when I realized he not only based it off my talk, but that he had gathered a bouquet of words for me, I started crying. 

Let me be quick to say that I do not feel at all deserving of the kind comments shared that day, but every single one of them poured into my heart in the most beautiful way. 

I'm probably not unusual in being the sort of person who more easily sees her own flaws than strengths. To hear words of encouragement that point to the ways God is using this flawed and broken vessel was the greatest gift.

Today I'd love to encourage you to do for others what this group of friends did for me. Is there someone in your life who has encouraged you? Tell him. Tell her. Is there someone whose everyday life teaches you how to live your own life? Mention it out loud. Is there someone who has impacted you without realizing it? Call attention to what happened!

We're all muddling through a life that can sometimes be pretty rough. We see the things we did wrong. We hear the words we wish we would have swallowed. We miss the good things. 

Let's lift each other up this week. Let's draw attention to the goodness others have poured into our lives. You  might never know just how much someone needs a boost, and you might be just the person to offer it. 

Thanks again, Ryan, for the beautiful post. Thank you for collecting words to share. My bouquet is full and beautiful. I'm grateful and encouraged!

Now go and encourage someone this week!