by wendy | Nov 11, 2021 | Tips for Encouraging Others
You may not have picked up on this yet, but I am working on a book about encouraging others daily. At this point, I am just collecting snippets of ideas and examples. If you would like to share a story of encouragement with me, please email comment on this post or email me at wendycuster@gmail.com – I may include a version of it in the book.
Here is one I recently recorded:
My friend, Liana, recently posted about the encouragement jar her teenage daughter made her for Christmas. Kristen used quotes about mothers for her encouragement and her mom was instructed to read one a week for the year. The second message she withdrew from the jar included a timely message that seemed penned for exactly that day! The message was uplifting for Liana and the post not only complimented Kristin, but it also encouraged the rest of us to remember just how much power our written words can hold .
Make an encouragement jar. Write scriptures and encouraging messages on small pieces of paper. Fold each piece and place them into a decorated jar. Present the jar to someone in need of encouragement. Attach a note that explains that they can draw out a note of encouragement whenever they need it!
by wendy | Nov 11, 2021 | Tips for Encouraging Others
I am absolutely passionate about encouraging people. One of my favorite ways to encourage is by giving a small, but thoughtful, gift to someone who needs to feel loved (which is everyone!). This can get expensive unless I make the gift or I can find small inexpensive things.
Today I am tending shop for my friend Charlotte who owns “The Golden Fish” in our little town of Palmyra. Her little boutique features a mix of items made by local artisans as well as treasures that Charlotte has found. She has an incredible eye for unique, vintage goods that are incredibly inexpensive. It is the perfect place to pick up a small gift that is matched to the personality of the one you want to encourage!
I thought it would be fun to feature a few things from her shop on my blog today!
Cards are great, but this little book is less expensive than a greeting card and has a cute message to make someone feel special!
If you have a friend who loves owls, this little glass owl would sit pretty on any shelf or dresser in their home. It would even make a cute paper weight for the office.
I can’t tell you how many people I know who have stories of raising a pet duck when they were little! This tiny wooden duck is sure to lift the spirits of anyone who isn’t feeling “ducky”.
Tiny picture frames are great for displaying inspirational quotes or verses.
This little change purse is so sweet and it would be ideal for filling with little messages of encouragement if you know someone going on a trip!
Do you know a teacher? This apple basket could be filled with notes of encouragement, a favorite candy, or any other tiny treat and would fit neatly on a teacher’s desk!
This happy juice glass should light up anyone’s day, especially if it is filled with candy, a little candle, or encouraging notes!
Each one of these finds is under $5 at “The Golden Fish” but any thrift or antique store has hundreds of little treasures just waiting to be found. Create a little stash of these things that you can use for just the right occasion or go shopping with someone special in mind. With a unique gift like these, along with your words of encouragement, you can’t help but lift someone up!
by wendy | Oct 24, 2020 | Encouragement, Godly Relationships, Tips for Encouraging Others
“Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.”
Ezra 10:4
1. Listen to their dreams.
I am a dreamer and a verbal processor. I am so grateful for my family and friends who have listened to my dreams throughout the years. I often need to express my dreams out loud and “try them on” in order to discern which I should actually follow up on. It can be scary to voice out loud the ideas that formulate in a creative brain, so be kind when you listen to a dreamer. Even if their plans seem outlandish and scary to you, understand that dreams are the stuff that fuel new inventions, successful businesses, and amazing ministries. When a dreamer shares a vision with you, they are trusting you with treasure from their very soul.
2. Pray with them and for them.
God gives us dreams and He gives us the ability to work out of those dreams. Prayer is important – for patience to wait for His timing, for strength to carry through, and for wisdom to know the right way. When you pray for a dreamer and their dreams, you are praying for God to intervene and bring His power, His wisdom, and His resources. When you pray with a dreamer, you implant courage and hope alongside their dream.
3. Be patient while they develop their dreams.
Dreams often take years to develop. They seem exciting and sudden in the beginning, but enthusiasm can die when the long process of working out the details and waiting for the right time dull that excitement. Ask about the dream periodically. Remind the dreamer you are still praying for them. Point out the ways you see God at work. As an encourager, you have the job of giving courage, hope, and inspiration when the tired dreamer is struggling.
4. Allow grace as they discern God’s direction.
Dreams are winding, foggy, uphill journey with many twists and turns. They rarely play out exactly as they seemed in the beginning. But with God’s direction, dreams develop into something bigger and better than the dreamer could have ever imagined! Encourage the dreamer to follow God’s leading even when it may seem to go off the path. Continue to lift them and their dream to God and allow grace to the dreamer and the dream when it is difficult to see the result. Encourage them to trust God and watch together to see where He is taking the dream.
5. Be supportive as they work out their dream.
Even as you pray and listen, there are also some practical ways you can support the dreamer:
- give financially to the dream
- prepare meals or help with the family while they work toward the dream
- brainstorm with the dreamer
- point to resources that might be helpful
- connect the dreamer with others that have a similar dream
- roll up your sleeves and work alongside
- share the dream with others (when it is appropriate)
by wendy | Sep 11, 2020 | Encouragement, Godly Relationships, Tips for Encouraging Others
We have all experienced difficult relationships, wounds from a friend, and conflict, so when we become the listening ear for someone else in a relationship crisis we can certainly identify. Here are some tips for how to be an encourager in those times:
Patiently Listen!
Allow your friend to express their frustrations freely. Validate their feelings without justifying retribution.
Encourage the Pause!
After listening, encourage your friend to take some time before making decisions or responding. It is always better to wait until the emotions are settled.
Pray!
Pray with and for your friend. Ask God to bring peace to their heart and peace between parties.
Point to the Word!
Share some Scriptures that are important to you, but also encourage your friend to search for God’s wisdom for themselves.
“When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.”
Proverbs 16:7
by wendy | Sep 4, 2020 | Tips for Encouraging Others, Uncategorized
Take a second to tally it up – how many small business friends do you have? You might be surprised at how many you know when you stop to actually think about it. Count in the total those who own restaurants, small shops, and real estate or insurance agencies. Don’t forget the crafters, artists, and writers (like me). And consider the home child care providers, tutors, and private home health card providers. Oh yeah, and the self-employed mechanics, plumbers, electricians – wow – we could really go on and on!
Now that you have reminded yourself how many people in your circle run small businesses, you can imagine the need for encouragement. Let’s look at some ideas for encouraging our small businesses.
- Hire them, buy from them, support them! These businesses don’t succeed without the support of friends, families, and neighbors. They are here to serve, please give them a chance to serve you!
- Share them! Make an intentional effort to call them out (in a good way) on social media and in person. Tell others about their business and about the great experience you have had when using them.
- Give them grace! These business owners are people just like you. Chances are they also have off days. If you have experienced one of those off days, purposefully give them a chance to try again.
- Speak (or write) encouraging words! Express your gratitude and praise by telling them how much you appreciate their hard work. A note is always amazing because they can read it any time they need to remember.
- Pray for them! Pray that the community will benefit from their service and that God will bless their business.
by wendy | Aug 28, 2020 | Tips for Encouraging Others, Uncategorized
There is nothing more refreshing than meeting someone with a thirst for God’s Word. Let’s talk about some tips for how to encourage the thirsty.
1.Give them a Bible. Choose a Bible with good study notes, topical devotionals that relate, or even a journaling Bible – there are so many to choose from. You can even give away your Bible that has your own notes.
2. Give them a journal. Fill a journal with Scriptures, or just write Scripture references at the top of each page. Give a blank journal for recording blessings, taking sermon notes, or writing prayers.
3. Give them a Christian book. Hundreds of authors write about biblical topics in a relevant way. When we read their words we ingest the Word from a different perspective and that causes us to think through Scripture in a deeper way.
4. Invite them to a Bible study. Or to study the Bible with you! Studying Scripture together gives us the opportunity to learn from each other and bonds us together.
5. Speak Scripture to them. Share verses, talk about the Word, explain what you are reading/learning, and have conversations about what God is speaking to you through His Word.
“But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.”
John 4:14
