1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage and comfort one another and build up one another, just as you are doing.” (AMP)
Things are happening at such a fast pace in our world, that suddenly God slowed things down, hopefully enough that we can be still to hear Him speak. Many of us have not been affected directly by losing love ones or friends, however, there are many others who have lost loved ones and friends during this Coronavirus pandemic. If this virus hit our family or friend, have we told them how much we love them or thanked them for things they have done. Why does it always have to come to a disaster or a catastrophe before our eyes are open to what really matters.
If it’s one day I remember vividly, it is the day it aired that the beloved Princess Diana had died. Yet, when Princess Diana died, I still don’t believe anyone could have ever predicted the massive public outpouring of love and grief that came from the British people in the week following her death. Maybe you remember that sea of flowers that enveloped the front of Buckingham Palace and Diana's personal residence at Kensington Palace. You couldn't get anywhere near the gates. The flowers seemed to stretch out endlessly! Someone who had been close to the Princess said, "Diana had no idea she was loved like this." That's sad but not unique.
One of my devotional Scriptures for today was 1 Thessalonians 5:11. It's simple, but it's strong medicine. "…encourage and comfort one another and build up one another." That needs to be shared in every home; every work place; every classroom; every church. "…encourage and comfort one another and build up one another." That's one of those commands from God that would be really great to display wouldn't it?
People are by no means perfect, NONE OF US ARE! We are all flawed, broken, damaged and imperfect. We get things wrong, we think, speak, feel and act wrong. But that’s not all the time! Everyone has something absolutely wonderful about them. How great would it be to highlight that, just once, while they’re still alive to appreciate it?
At funerals, and home-going services, I’m often floored by the great words people speak, the experiences they share, and the emotions they express. But I can never shake the question from my mind, “I wonder if they did all that while the person was still living?”
Think about it: How many people in your life help you, support you, encourage you, provide for you, protect you, love you and laugh with you? How many people in your life are you able to call and talk to, share with, lean on, depend and rely on? How many people in your life have been there for you? Now think, do they know you appreciate it and them? Have you told them? If not, what are waiting for? If you have told them, why not tell them again?
As for me, I’ve always been the type of person who’s not all that crazy about receiving gifts, words and cards on valentine’s day, my birthday, mother’s day, Christmas etc…No, I’m a bit more mushy! I love flowers (just because it’s Monday); I love hearing I love you (in the laundromat); I love dressing up and going out to dinner (at Applebee’s); I love an unexpected gift (for absolutely no reason); I love cards (that aren’t attached to any holiday, and especially cards that are handwritten from the person, not the perfectly worded Hallmark traditional cards that someone else wrote, in their words, who don't know me). I love hearing ‘thank you’, and when I ask ‘for what?’ the response is simple, ‘for everything.’ I love random hugs that have nothing to do with ‘turn to your neighbor and embrace them.’
I guess in essence, I love those imperfect, untimely gestures of affection and appreciation. Not those attached to a time of year, a birth, holiday or death.
Think about it, the last time someone showed you a sign of love and appreciation, that was completely unexpected and not related to anything in particular, how great did that make you feel? Now, wouldn’t it be awesome to do that for someone else, so they can join in on such a great feeling?
Why wait until the funeral to bring beautiful flowers (that they can’t see, smell or appreciate)? Why wait until the funeral to tell the whole sanctuary and all of social media how wonderful a mother she is; how great a father he is; how beautiful your children are; how loving your church family is; how compassionate your leaders are. Why wait to tell them they preached a great sermon, taught an inspiring lesson, prayed a powerful prayer, cooked a delicious meal? Why wait?
Because one day, you’ll wait too long and miss a moment that becomes a memory.
The people in your personal universe are people in desperate need of regular encouragement. So question: how are you doing with that? Are you giving it to them?
How many people in your life need to hear you speak words of confidence and encouragement to them like that? Makes you want to appreciate people, places and things just a little more doesn't it? You see, in the blink of an eye, anything can happen. So, why assume and take for granted that you will always have tomorrow, when that's nothing further from the truth?
Yes, that’s just how life is! Short, full of trouble, grows, dries and leaves. Nothing And No One Is Secure, For We Don’t Know The Least Thing About Tomorrow (If It Comes At All). Which Is Why We Should Use Wisely All The Time We Have!
And truth is, some of us come from a background where there wasn't much praise, there wasn't much encouragement, so it's hard for us to give what we never got. But you of all people should know then how much it hurts not to get it. So, today, ask the Lord to give you eyes to see the positive in the people around you and to give you the words to tell them what you see (while they can still hear your words, apply them, appreciate them, and become better because of them).
Listen: When you praise someone, thank someone and compliment that person, when you tell them the good things you see in them, you are doing what the Bible calls "building them up." What's the alternative though? Tearing them down! However they treat you, your job is to be like Jesus and to give them the gift of encouragement. Some of the difficult people in your world may be difficult because they've had so little encouragement.
Now After this Covid-19 (Coronavirus is over) and you can come out of isolation; the person you’ve been saying for the longest, “I’m going to call her, visit him, go out to eat with them”, stop delaying it, and ….GO!!! Stop hesitating, stop procrastinating, stop making excuses, stop assuming tomorrow is guaranteed to be on your to-do-list!
Don’t Save Anymore Flowers; Don’t Wait For Anymore Holidays, Events or Special Occasions! Don’t Save the Best China For Once a Year! Don’t Assume They Know How You Feel About Them and What They Really Mean to You! Today, Express It, Show It, Say It, Share It!
I’m sure Princess Diana knew she was loved, but certainly not to the degree that was expressed…when it was too late for her to see it, hear it, feel it, or smell it!
So, I’m here as your little reminder to enjoy life and to enjoy your loved ones (expressively, verbally and if you’re anything like me, in the silliest ways possible!) So don't hold on to your love, don’t hide it, release it, and show it, TODAY!
Enjoy a beautiful day and please know my heart of thanks to you for your friendship, following, support and encouragement are dear to my heart! You don’t have to do what you do, but you do…lol! And so today is my day to practice my own preaching…I Love You, I Thank You, I Appreciate You, I Celebrate You, I Look Forward To All The Great Things God Is Going To Do Through You, I Believe In You! Today, I Send You Your Virtual Flowers, Hope You Enjoy Them! Much Love Always, J.P. Olson. Much Love Always, J.P. Olson.
I want to take this time to introduce you to my newly released CD. Refreshed Refined Renewed Revived. I say this CD is God's CD. He orchestrated everything about this project from the time scheduled to record, the songs, title and the time of its release. The release was scheduled at an earlier time, but God didn't release it in Feb. It was released March 13 at the peak of the Coronavirus pandemic. The songs are anointed songs of Exhortation & Worship. The music and songs I know in my heart were set for this season to bring solace, peace, harmony and a closeness in God's Presence. Take a listen to the YouTube Promotional. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W6n6g8WSkE&t=8s
Songs can be purchased at https://jpolsonmusic.com for $15.00 there is no shipping or tax cost.
Blessings
J.P. Olson
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