Can
it be...Christmas is almost here? Of course, I have to mention the birthday of
my son David on Christmas day...my best gift ever!!!
We recently heard a pastor say that he and
his wife are teaching their children this idea (not exactly verbatim...but
close enough):
“When you
enter a room, keep your head up. Look around to find someone who needs
encouragement or attention.”
Isn’t that a great idea for us to remember?
Wouldn’t that cure selfishness? Think about how refreshing that will be over
these holidays when life is so hectic.
Isn’t it fun to look a perfect stranger in
the eye, smile, and get a smile back? Maybe even a short conversation? This
just happened to me at the Kenwood Towne Center here in Cincy. Such a fun,
short chat with a complete stranger...and we had just exchanged smiles at the
beginning.
The Bible has so many practical thoughts
about “holding our heads up” to look for ways to encourage others:
1 Peter 4:8a - Above all,
love each other deeply.
Philippians 2:3 - Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in
humility value others above yourselves.
One of my
favorites...Proverbs 20:5 - The
purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters; but a man of understanding draws
them out. (Think about that.)
Philemon 1:7 - Your love has given me (Paul) great joy and encouragement, because
you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.
Paul
was reflecting the thought God had already written in Hosea 9:10. “When I found
Israel, it was like finding grapes in the
desert.” Think about that!
In
the desert you would be overcome with the heat and your
throat parched. Those sweet grapes would give you moisture and sustenance and nourishment
and even encouragement to keep going.
Do
you have your head up...looking for someone to encourage with a smile, a word.
or even a laugh? Will you be like sweet grapes in a hot desert to someone?
Merry Christmas!
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