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

Each school year a fifth-grade teacher assigned her students a very special writing assignment. She asked them to write a nice sentence about each classmate.

It could be something they liked about the person or something they thought the person did well. The teacher then went line by line and put together a list for each student of all the nice words their classmates had written.

When this special teacher retired, many of her former students, who are now adults, came to her retirement party. But they carried with them more than just good fifth-grade memories. One by one, each student took out faded, well-worn sheets of paper…the treasured lists of encouragement.

One woman in her 20s told the teacher that whenever she felt down, she would open her scrapbook and read those words. A 40-something-year-old man admitted he carried his list with him in his wallet. Those positive words left a powerful, lasting impression!

Have you ever had someone say something nice that boosted your spirits or heard a kind word that made you smile?

Maybe you know someone who lives alone. Imagine how a timely phone call to see how they are would help. Perhaps writing a note to a friend who is ill might boost their spirits. There’s so much you can do and say today to encourage those around you with the love of Christ!

Prayer Challenge: Thank God for those timely, positive words people have said to you, and ask Him for opportunities where you can encourage others today.