This week, without a doubt, I'm feeling that I've given out more than the usual share of "hello, how you doing" and encouraging words to others overcoming battles or finding themselves in difficult places or situations.

 

Monday afternoon I visited with a patient in a local nursing home.  Five years ago she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The surgery was thought to be successful because the tumor was benign but in the process she lost the ability to walk. She remains hopeful the day will come when she will be able to return home if she can regain the use of her legs. We discovered we share the same name and are both Capricorns. We talked about many things including articles from one of the tabloids on a major film star. She had several additions neatly stacked on a table in her room. Proudly she informed me that her husband brought them to her daily to read so that she would be entertained. She asked what I thought about the papers and I shared with her that the stories were exaggerated. After all those types of papers are known for stretching the truth. We both laughed.

 

I brought with me a copy of my first self published book Know Where You Going? You Gotta Know Where You Been! and asked her if I could read to her. I began with the first chapter titled GOING TO THE COUNTRY. She and her roommate quietly listened as I read about the many family vacations traveled as a little girl to visit my Grandmother in North Florida. You could hear a pin drop as I took them both on a trip to yester year. Every so often they'd laugh about experiences that were familiar to them. For a short while I could tell they forgot about their pain and discomfort. My visit came to a close I told them that I'd come back to visit and continue reading more stories. Both were smiling from ear to ear as I made my exit.

 

 

On Wednesday I gave a young lady a ride home and she shared with me of her recent release from prison after serving 2 1/2 years for selling drugs. Listening intently as she spoke about realizing how wrong she was to go that way, she understood that in order to start over she needed to be IN THE WORD, focus, stay away from the wrong people and find a job. She stated "I had a job as a cook in prison and if I could work that hard in there, I can definitely do it outside of prison!" The excitement in her voice heightened as she told me about the appointments she made and kept just this week in order to get her life on the right track. 

 

When we reached her destination I went into my carrying bag, pulled out and gave her a framed copy of my poem Dedicated to You-Thanks for Sharing. She read the poem and thanked me for being an "encourager." She also said that she was going to hang the frame near the head of her bed so that she could read the words and be reminded daily of the many things to be thankful for. As I left her I told her to call me if she needed someone to talk to or even just to vent. She said she would.

 

On Thursday, another person, noticeably in pain, spoke about being ill and having to tell herself that in order to feel better, she needed to dress better. Her health issues which she suffered from included spine and pelvic ailments. Along with the health issues she shared details of receiving a broken leg about a year ago after being assaulted by her former daughter in law and the daughter in laws' mother over trivial differences. My head literally began to spin as she further told me that the mother/daughter duo pressed charges against her and though the charges were later dropped it took her almost a year to forgive them. She said she realized without the Lord in her life she would have given up.

 

Finding a church to attend was something that she wanted. She mentioned attending several churches in the area and finding the reception to be so COLD  she stopped going. I was careful to remind her that you would expect to find a warm reception in any church but the reality is we are all human and sometimes we fall short on being Warm and Cordial, even in church. My suggestion was to go to church and expect to learn something from the WORD being preached. She responded that I was right to encourage her to concentrate on the WORD and not the people. Also she mentioned she read Our Daily Bread but her subscription expired. Ironically, I recently finished reading a 30 day trial copy of Our Daily Bread and I passed my copy on to her. She thanked me and told me that the book was right on time because the subjects for Day 1 and 2 were totally written to encourage her because she was going through similar situations.

 

Just today I met a young lady looking for a poem for her three year old daughter. She shared that she was going through a bad custody battle with her daughters' father. She looked through my book of sample poems and chose Daughter's Smile. She asked if she could have the poem and mentioned she was going to frame the poem and display it in her daughter's room. I gladly parted with the sample. As she turned to leave I told her to be encouraged. She thanked me and went her way.

 

As I reflect and write this blog entry I am reminded of my own challenges. Many times I am the giver of encouraging words albeit written or spoken. You ask, where do I get my encouraging words from. Well I am reminded of the scripture in Psalms 121:1-2, (1) I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence comes my help. (2) My help comes from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

 

Until next time, be and stay encouraged!