Last week I witnessed the most sacrificial encouragement. My sweet friend, who was my 22 year old son’s kindergarten teacher, gave him a gift that cost her dearly. She came several times to watch him coach basketball – a sacrifice in and of itself since she lost her husband who was a referee just three years ago. Knowing that he had a special relationship with her husband, my friend presented my son with photos and special treasures that belonged to her husband to remind my son that he was treasured and loved.

I cried. He cried. She cried. The moment was heart-wrenching and beautiful and sacred. We all understood the sacrifice – each of us appreciated the gift – together we remembered the loss – ultimately we were all inspired.

Encouraging others is not always easy. We are called to use the hard places in our lives to help others in their own hard places. We give out of our fullness, but we also give out of our pain and the lessons we have learned.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

The comfort we receive from God when we are suffering gains new purpose when we can use that to encourage others! My friend shared how difficult it was for her to be in that gym, with the sound of squeaking shoes and the whistle blowing, but her desire to encourage my son was stronger than the grief for those moments. How often are we willing to push our own pain aside to lift up someone else?

My friend’s husband lived a life of encouragement. He was – and still is – an inspiration to my son and to many other young men he encountered. I pray that God truly blesses her heart as she continues in the legacy he left by choosing to live a life encouragement in spite of her pain. I have to believe that every time she gives away a piece of him, God fills more of the hole her husband’s death left in her heart.

Isn’t it just like God to fill us more and more as we empty ourselves?

Give and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38

I have been reminded in my study this week that God delights in us! He loves to encourage and strengthen us and His encouragement cost Him greatly- it cost Him the life of His son.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

His love for us caused Him to be compassionate towards us – and His compassion moved Him to sacrifice for us. What a beautiful picture of sacrificial encouragement!

Our lives are difficult and we face much adversity every day. It is hard to fathom how we can encourage others when we feel so discouraged ourselves. Let us take a lesson from my friend – when we give out of the pain we have and the comfort we have received, God will use that gift to comfort and bless us even more!

Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25b