By Cindy Allen
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider who we may spur on another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb. 10:23-25 NIV).
We are all probably familiar with this Scripture. But in the busyness of life, sometimes encouragement is something we just don’t have time for. At the time the book of Hebrews was written, I believe the author, and many believers, felt they were living at a time where the return of Jesus was imminent, hence the admonishment to encourage and gather, especially as they see the Day approaching. Now, 2000 years later, many believers think the return of Jesus is very close. Are we doing what we were told to do? Are we being an encouragement to those around us who are downtrodden, overwhelmed, tired or any number of feelings that are prevalent in our world today?
If you ask my friends, they will tell you I am a card sender. It is not my top gifting, but encouragement ranks pretty high on my list of spiritual gifts. However, I don’t think this Scripture is just speaking to those of us with a bent towards encouragement. I think it is speaking to all believers. We all have times when we need encouragement, and we all have times when we can give encouragement.
Speaking of cards, did you know that stamps have just gone up to 78 cents? That is crazy. That is a lot. Earlier this week, I went to a coffee shop to purchase back-to-school gift cards for our church. A gift of encouragement will be given to school staff before school starts. While I was there, I bought a drink. I am not a coffee drinker, but the picture on the wall drew me in. That drink cost $5.99. I did the math, and I could have sent cards to seven people! And truth be told, they would have enjoyed the card more than I enjoyed my frappe!
This morning, I sat down and sent cards to three people — our great niece (who starts kindergarten in a few days), a friend’s mom (who is having heart issues) and a lady who visited our church and inadvertently spoke words of wisdom into me that I needed to hear. Earlier, I had listened to a friend on Facebook speaking about purpose. I needed to hear what she said, so I sent a text thanking her for her availability. A friend was taking her brother to the doctor, so I sent a text and let her know I was praying. My friend and I mailed encouraging notes and Dairy Queen gift cards to the kids we taught last year on Wednesday night to let them know they were going to be great first graders. See how simple it is. None of these took much time or cost me much money, but I know it will put smiles on the faces of my loved ones.
I have been really good at sending birthday cards until a few months ago. I know you can send a greeting on Facebook or a text, but I think that even in today’s techy world, people still enjoy getting something fun in the mailbox. However, I have been off my game. If I missed your day, know I am sorry, and I did think of you when I noticed your name on my calendar. I resolve right now to begin in earnest in August.
I saw a quote the other day that basically said, “Loneliness isn’t the absence of people, it is the absence of connection.” Let’s make more of an effort to connect with the people around us, and “so much the more as we see the day approaching”!
