The Gift We All Carry
Over the past few weeks, our pastor has been preaching on spiritual gifts. Each one is important. Each one is necessary.
Just like the eye, the foot and the finger are all essential to the human body — none more important than the other, none placed on a higher pedestal — it is the inner workings of all these parts together that make the body powerful, capable and whole.
The same is true of the spiritual gifts we each possess.
It is through these gifts when used together; that create collective holiness. It is how God intended us to live, to be, to include and to love.
Encouragement is one gift I believe we all possess in one way or another. And like any muscle, it must be exercised and strengthened.
Let me share an example.
I walk pretty much the same path every day, around the same time especially before the Northeast winter snow arrived and caused some hiccups and delays. In good weather, I am out there most days of the week.
Over the last few months, I began seeing the same man walking the same path.
Every single time he passed me, I felt God prompt me to say “hello!” Just acknowledge his presence.
So I did.
Every morning, as cheerfully as possible, I would say, “Good morning!”
For months, he hurried past me. No words back. Not even a glance up.
It got to the point that when I walked with friends, they would say:
“Alexa, enough. He’s rude. Stop saying hello!”
But I kept saying it — because God had asked me to.
It wasn’t about me receiving anything in return.
It was about the fact that this man clearly carried pain that had hardened him… made him angry… made him sad… made him cold.
And God wanted light shined there — even if only for a moment.
So I kept going.
Maybe 50 times.
Until one cold, snowy morning, when the path was narrow and only wide enough for one person. We stepped aside and let him pass first.
He looked up.
And I said, as always:
“Good morning!”
This time he replied:
“Thank you. Good morning.”
My goodness.
The sunshine felt brighter that morning.
And I knew this wasn’t about me.
It was about encouragement.
About melting the ice — even just a little.
There was no goal. Just obedience.
I share this story to invite you into encouragement.
1. Encourage Your Marriage
How often do we get bogged down in:
“This wasn’t done right.”
“He doesn’t understand the mental load.”
“I can’t believe he did this… or didn’t do that… again.”
I invite you to switch that.
Encourage your spouse for what they did do.
For how they do show up.
Even if right now all you can muster is:
“Thank you. I see you.”
Put your ego down and focus on what matters most: the marriage, the foundation, the seeing of one another.
2. Encourage Yourself
Sometimes it is quiet. Overwhelming. Unseen.
Encourage yourself.
Remind your heart:
God always sees you. Especially in the quiet, unseen moments.
3. Encourage Among Friends
You may feel a twinge of jealousy.
“I can’t believe she has this.”
“She doesn’t have to work for this like I do.”
“She gets to go there…”
Recognize:
A) Even though you know her, you do not know the full story. You do not see the quiet nights or dark moments.
B) That twinge may be revealing something your heart desires.
So instead of jealousy, bring it to God.
Ask Him.
“Do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’… Your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
— Matthew 6:31–33
Maybe God will give it to you.
Maybe He won’t.
Maybe He has something far greater planned.
Trusting God is one of the highest forms of praise — because He sees and knows all.
4. Encourage a Stranger
Tell someone:
Have a good day.
You look joyful today.
You did a great job.
You showed me a way of thinking I hadn’t seen before.
This is how the world begins to look more like Heaven on Earth.
Too often we use our keyboards to defend:
our possessions
our knowledge
our degrees
our hurts
But it was never about that.
We are here to learn.
To grow.
To show love.
So do that.
If you are in a season where encouragement feels distant…
If your marriage feels strained, your motherhood heavy, your home life overwhelming…
If you feel depleted and tapped out…
Tap into encouragement.
It is available to you.
You are not alone.
And encouragement is never out of reach.