I want to be encouraged. I work hard to be an encourager. I have spoken numerous times on encouragement. It is and ought to be one of the pillars of the Christian walk. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Sometimes you are required to encourage yourself!

A true mentor will encourage the person he is working with. The world has moved in another direction. The generation of “me”. “Me” does not promote others. The scriptures are clear I think that we ought to look out for the needs of others. To lift them up. (Utopia moment…what if every one felt viable, happy and whole?) The mentor who understands the power and value of encouragement will cause their “mentees” to grow well. (Look at Paul and Barnabas in Acts 4:36-37; Acts 9:26-30 and Acts 11:22-30)

Please understand the difference between congratulations and encouragement are different. This morning I was thinking about the work place. I was thinking about receiving “congratulations” for doing my job. I do not care to be “congratulated” for doing what I am asked to do. As a matter of fact it creates a frustration in me. I guess I personally believe congratulations ought to be reserved for a momentous event or accomplishment. Not for doing what is “expected” or required.

(And our life has to be guided with joy, whether we are “on the clock” or not.)

I have learned a lot the last few months. I have learned my deficits still exist despite prayer, confession and declaration. I have learned my strengths do not necessarily mean success. In my book on interrupted process, I had talked about this. But even with knowledge, strength and faith, I forget it “still” can happen.

But encouragement is different. A lot different. The word encourage in original language means to “put heart in”. To strengthen another’s heart. Congratulations has no heart investment.

A person who is in the midst of a challenge or a trial, needs to, wants to know that there is someone who values them. Someone who puts “heart” into them.

I used the work example because if I, were in the midst of “not making” it moment I need people not to congratulate me but to strengthen my heart. And not the “hey you are okay” when clearly it might not be. (That is heartless…) Maybe I come from another world, but I want people to know they are loved. Telling them they are doing something right when they clearly are doing something wrong, possibly sinful, may make them like you for a moment or two, but at some point the deception may evaporate and they will realize you did not help them. You chose shallowness over depth. And they may ask why or they may just move away.

True encouragement will strengthen the heart. Not dis-”hearten”. True encouragement can face a wrong, challenge sin and still bring strength to a heart through the power and presence of Grace in words and in action.

It is not directing them to take a seat and watch, but to cause them to stand and participate. It is helping them shake off the failure and try again. To remind them that someone wants to hold them, hug them and love them.

To not give up but to go up.

It is reminding them that the next greatest song is being rehearsed. The next great novel is being penned and the next “Van Gogh” just brush strokes away.

That millions of children think everything is amazing and maybe they ought to join the crowd!

You. Me. Some. One. Now.

“Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.”― Ralph Waldo Emerson