HomeWord - Sept. 3, 2007

Mark Twain once said, "I can live two months on one good compliment." People need your praise and affirmation. Be liberal with your gift of encouragement and always be on the lookout for opportunities to lift someone’s spirits.

A woman in my church has a ministry of affirmation. She must have stock in the local stationery store, because she is always writing affirming notes. I save those notes, and I’ve received eight this year! Her willingness to praise someone for a job well done or encourage a person who needs a moment of inspiration has given my friend a profound ministry. She'll probably never give a sermon, write a book, or be famous, but I guarantee you that in God's eyes her notes of encouragement are more powerful than almost any sermon you've ever heard.

Is there someone in your life who needs a little affirmation and praise? What better gift to give them than the gift of encouragement!

To comment on today's devotional, click here.

GOING DEEPER:

1. What effect does encouragement have in a person’s life?

2. Today give encouragement to someone who needs it. Try writing them a note, giving them a phone call or baking them a fresh batch of cookies.

FURTHER READING :

Ephesians 4:29

HomeWord Encouraging Parents…Building Families
Other FREE resources from HomeWord and Jim Burns: - 7 Minutes to Being a Better Parent - Download HomeWord's daily broadcast - Get your toughest parenting questions answered HomeWord provides bottom-shelf, real-life, practical resources ranging from 411 (information) and 911 (crisis resources) to help parents.