The Motivating Power of Encouragement

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A few weeks ago, a woman I had exchanged a couple of emails with, wrote that despite having hours of work to do, she had gotten caught up in reading a sample of my book, So You’re Not Wonder Woman, instead. She told me everything she loved about what she had read thus far and wrote, “You’re a great writer.”

At the time I received her email, I was meeting someone for lunch (a happy occasion), but it was all I could do to stop bawling. This dear lady had no idea that I had been wondering if I was wasting my time writing in a digital world that seems to have more writers than readers. We have corresponded quite a bit since then and she has become a treasure to me.

My new friend isn’t just an encouragement to me as a writer, however. She’s an encouragement to me as a homeschooler and a Christian woman. How many times have I missed an opportunity to encourage a fellow home educator? Bloggers get more positive feedback than homeschoolers do. Our work is so trying at times, so vitally important, yet it goes mostly unnoticed. While I pray that whatever I write on this blog will be an encouragement to others, how much more effective can I be by giving genuine praise to a fellow blogger, tweeter, homeschooler, or sister in Christ?

My new friend had no idea that taking a few minutes to send me an email would motivate me to keep doing what God has called me to do. Please join me in utilizing the motivational power of encouragement by:

• Commenting on a blog post you loved
• Leaving a review for a book or product you appreciate
• Replying to a tweet of someone you don’t know, but you’d like to bless
• Telling a fellow homeschooler how you see her excelling
• Sharing with your husband and kids the great qualities you see in them

Encouragement is like lifting someone up on your shoulders so they can do the work God has called them to do.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Want more encouragement? Check out these great links:

True Femininity

I Believe in You

Write a Note

Silver Boxes

P.S. I’d love to encourage you! Are you frustrated or just want someone to read what you write? Comment or shoot me an email and you’ll have some encouragement coming your way!