“All the days of the afflicted are bad, BUT a cheerful heart has a continual feast.” Proverbs 15:15. NASB (emphasis mine)
A sweet, petite, elderly lady in our church lost her husband about a month-and-a-half ago. She was understandably very sad. But very soon afterwards, she decided that she was going to be an encourager and make everyone else feel better!
She joined the regular choir and sits right next to me in practice and stands right next to me during worship time.
She will look up at me with the biggest, sweetest smile on her face and say, “I sure do like singing with you in choir!”
As a matter of fact, I sure do like singing with her, too! How could I not?
So when she says that, a smile lights my face and flashes in her direction, and I tell her how glad I am to get to sing with her as well!
This sweet lady has decided to make it her mission to cheer others up, even in her own great need. And she ends up getting cheered up in return.
“He who waters will himself be watered.” Proverbs 11:25 (NASB)
Isn’t it strange how that works?
Our natural bent seems to be to hope people will join our pity party, even though we’re not having any fun. And we get upset because no one seems to care. When really they do, but maybe they just have greater needs than we do right now and need us to cheer them up.
I’d like to take lessons from this dear, sweet soul.
I need to take my watering can to God daily for some water of the word, for some joy from His eternal fountain, then go out and make it a point to try to cheer others up with encouraging words.
I fully expect that one way or another, as I water, I will myself be watered!
I fully expect that even on my bad days, this will give my heart a wonderful feast!
What about you? Are you game to give it a try?
“The joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
When our fountain is completely dry, we can come to Him for His joy! His fountain never runs dry!
Isn’t it amazing how that works? a smile here and a kind word there and before you know it, my heart is glad. What a wonderful God we serve 🙂
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Yes, Brenda, you’re right! Amen!
What a gift we receive when we give to others first!
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Very sweet!!!
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Yes, she definitely is, Alicia! May the sweetness of Jesus be seen in us as well!
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Amen!
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Ah, the gift of a smile! Beautiful post, Ruth.
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Thank you, Diana! 😊 Here’s a smile for YOU! 😁
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You’re welcome and thank you! 😄😄💙
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You’re welcome! 😄😄
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That is so true! What an inspiring woman.
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Yes, she is, Shae! And not just with me; she tries to cheer up as many people as she can! 🙌 Praise God! And may we make a daily effort to follow her godly example! 😊
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God bless her!
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Yes, amen! Thank you, Efua! God bless you, too! 😊
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So encouraging. The hard times are so tough that I forget that sometimes I find encouragement in the process of encouraging others.
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I’m glad this encouraged you, Brittany! You are doing a great job!
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I have known some beautiful women who were just like your dear friend. What sweet memories are stirred up, even now, as I think of their smiles and words of comfort on days that I know were hard for them. I am so thankful for those examples that the Lord has set on our pathways! His Joy is such a gift! Thank you for these thoughts today, Ruth! Blessings and joy to you also!
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Isn’t it great, Bettie, to have these beautiful examples of God’s love and grace in our lives?! That’s so encouraging to have such warm memories to keep in the forefront of our minds even when so much difficulty and negativity surrounds us. Grace and peace to you.
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Praise His sweet name!!!! What a wonderful woman to be a light in darkness for others! I’m going to share this link on my facebook with others. I hope it speaks to them 🙂
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Yes, she is!
Thank you, T.R.! I hope it will speak to others as well!
God continue to bless you, sister!! 🙂
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❤
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Awww! I’d love to meet her! ❤ Yesss we must run to the fountain of life and drink whenever we get thirsty in this race! Glory to God!! May the Holy Spirit of Christ continue fill you up daily in Jesus name! Amen! Blessings! ❤
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You’d love her, Tammy! What’s not to love in someone who constantly tries to encourage and build you up?
Thank you for your prayer of blessing! ❤
Blessings to you, as well!
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I know I would and that’s soooo true! 🙂
You’re most welcome! Blessings & grace my dearest!
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You’re welcome! 😊
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❤
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