I don’t remember the exact day. I don’t even remember the exact year. I can’t remember the context of the conversation. But I do remember a few simple words that my mom said to me. It was in the early days of my ministry, and I was likely upset about a situation at church. In the early days, it was hard not to take things personally. A few simple words made a big difference. “Everything you do seems to always turn to gold.” Honestly, even then that seemed kind of a poetic thing for my mom to say. Those weren’t typical words. But to this day, I still remember them. At the time, I didn’t go and dissect the theology of the words. I didn’t try and figure out what it meant fully. I heard them, and I took them in. To this day, those words still resonate in me. Sure, I’ve had some flops of decisions since then. I’ve made some pretty boneheaded choices. But underneath it I remember those foundational words … “Everything you do seems to always turn to gold.”
I don’t think I ever told my mom how much those words impacted me. I just carried on. That short sentence made such a difference in my life, and I never told her. Who knows? Maybe I would have quit the ministry if not for that encouragement. I can promise you I’ve had those words circulate through my mind since that day. I never told her, and I wish I had.
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”
William Arthur Ward
We can all be grateful for many things in life. We can be grateful to people in our lives. Thankful for times they helped or said the right words, or maybe it was just the time they were there for us. But gratitude needs to take that next step. It needs to be expressed. I was grateful for what my mom said. I just figured she knew. Looking back, I wish I’d given her the chance to hear it from me.
Hebrews 3:13
But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Daily. We are to encourage one another daily. It’s so easy to put it off. So easy to neglect showing gratitude. Why is it so important? The verse is clear: To keep us from getting hardened and deceived. Life is hard enough on its own. My mom encouraged me that day. Years later, I could have encouraged her just by telling her what those words still meant to me. A word of encouragement can go so far. It can help that person that’s having a bad day, or even a bad season. It can give someone hope when they most need it.
Here’s the thing: My mom likely had no idea of the weight of her words that day. I imagine that still happens today. A simple sentence. A short hug. A small thank-you note. We don’t know the impact we are having on others.
This is a short blog post, but I’ll close with two suggestions. Consider this an application point.
- Remember someone from the past that helped you through something. Say something to them. The sentence could start like this, “Hey, you probably don’t remember this, but one day …” Maybe it’s an old teacher from the past. Maybe an old friend. Maybe a family member. They encouraged you, now let them know.
- Think of someone you can encourage today, or be on the lookout for the one God places in your path. The verse is clear “as it is still called ‘Today'”. Let’s not put off encouragement.
In a world that is full of hatred and bitterness, being an encourager can change them, and oh by the way change us. I wish I could tell my mom, “You probably don’t remember saying this, but I’ve never forgotten it.” Maybe there’s somebody you can still say those words to. Tell them while it’s still today. Today, do it today!