Some Encouragement Just For You
Gwen Smith
Today’s Truth
“Long
ago the Lord said to Israel: ‘I have loved you, my people, with an
everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.’”
(Jeremiah 31:3, NLT)
Friend to Friend
When our kids were
younger, we had gathered as a family around the pull up bar in the
upstairs hall to see our oldest son, Preston, display his thirteen year
old man-cub strength. Like a chimpanzee, he pulled his lanky frame up
and down with ease, impressing us all. When he tired to exhaustion,
Preston dropped down and met our enthusiastic applause with a satisfied
grin.
* pull up bar 철봉 (영국; Chinning bar): a piece of equipment used for doing pull-ups
As
the clapping and praise died down, my then nine-year old daughter,
Kennedy, decided to give the pull up bar a try. Lifted to the high metal
pole by her strong daddy, she gave her best effort but fell short of
her desired goal. With a slightly disappointed – but not defeated –
expression, she dropped to the floor, seemingly understanding that it
would be a while until her upper body strength could support numerous
pull up attempts.
Then my middle child man-cub jumped up to join
the pull up party. At two years younger than Preston, Hunter struggled
to raise and lower his youthful, tween body on the bar. After a few
minor successes – and even more fumbled attempts – Hunter dropped to his
feet with a scowl and stomped away angrily.
Before he got too far, my husband and I spoke words of encouragement to him.
They rolled off his wilted shoulders.
He was frustrated to the point of anger.
In
his eleven-year old mind, he thought that he should be able to do what
his older brother could do. He wanted the spontaneous, enthusiastic
applause of an impressed gathering – not the parental encouragement to
“keep working on it.”
So he grumbled and stewed.
After a
few cool-down moments, my husband called Hunter over to have a private
daddy chat. Brad gently confronted Hunter on the negative behavior he
displayed. Then, he spoke words of life to Hunter’s little boy heart.
With
eyes that communicated understanding and remorse, Hunter looked at my
husband and vulnerably confessed, “I’m sorry, Dad, I just really like
attention…especially from you and mom.”
A beautiful love moment followed.
Our days are filled with teachable moments.
Sometimes we teach children.
Sometimes they teach us.
Often both.
Hunter’s
voice echoed across the globe as he spoke on behalf of all the children
of the world. Every child wants attention. Every child wants love.
But
that longing doesn’t stop at childhood. His words ring true in the
heart of you and me too. Don’t they? Each of uswants to be loved. We all
wear invisible signs that say things like, “Please notice me!” “Tell me
I’m special.” “Tell me I matter… that I’m valuable… that you appreciate
me.” “Show me that you love me...and really mean it!”
“Long ago
the Lord said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an
everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.”
(Jeremiah 31:3, NLT)
In spite of God’s love at times our hearts
ache an unfulfilled longing, a perceived inadequacy, a devastating loss,
or a gaping heart wound. Might I encourage each of you today? Whether
you are a mother, a grandmother, a sister or a daughter. Whether you are
single, married, widowed or divorced. Whether your loved ones value and
cherish you or wound you with broken behavior, you are perfectly loved,
known and cherished by God.
Just as He spoke those words to His
children, the Israelites, long ago, God speaks across the universe today
to each invisible sign...to each daughter’s heart: “I notice you!” “You
are special to me.” “You matter, are valuable and are made beautifully
in My image.” “I love you...perfectly...eternally...completely, and I
really mean it.”
He showed us through the death and resurrection of His son, Jesus.
He speaks it through His Word.
His Spirit whispers it to the hearts of His children continuously.
Are you listening? Can you hear the whispers?
Let’s Pray
Dear
God, You are always worthy of my attention, my affection, my adoration,
and my love. To think that You would choose to love me, listen to me,
and draw me to Your heart is simply mind-boggling. You are so good!
Could You please speak those words of love to my heart again today,
Lord?
In Jesus’ Name I pray,
Amen.