I Needed That
I Needed That
Encourage each other daily, while it is still called today. (Heb. 3:13)
Overwhelmed by looming deadlines and drowsy from lack of sleep, I wondered how I was going to accomplish everything that was on my agenda for the day. I pushed myself away from my desk and decided to make a quick trip to the ladies’ room. On my way back to my office, I glanced over at Gail as she studied her computer screen.
Gail was a wonderful Christian woman who was likable and friendly and had an infectious laugh. Although she had multiple health problems—lupus and arthritis, as well as suffering from chronic back pain—she always took the time to greet me with a smile.
Before I was a couple of steps past her office, I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to turn back to give Gail a hug. I hesitated for a moment, thinking of my cluttered desk and crazy schedule, but then I turned back, walked into her office, reached out, hugged Gail, and said, “The Lord told me to stop in and give you a hug.”
She hugged me back and said, “Thank you, sweetie. I needed that.”
As I left Gail’s office, I noticed that I felt better, and the day ahead didn’t look quite so overwhelming as it had earlier.
No matter who we are, what we do, or how we feel, we all need encouragement. God didn’t create us to live in a vacuum; we were created for relationships—with Him and with others.
The next time the Lord prompts you to encourage someone, be obedient. Speak God’s blessings into his or her life and thank Him for the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus to a person who needs kind and encouraging words.