On the subject of encouragement

Encouragement is defined as "the act of giving hope or support to someone." I try to be an encouragement to people, and I think I have managed it pretty well most of the time. ;-) I even can encourage myself when I get down, though sometimes it is harder to do! Sometimes things happen that are beyond one's own ability to work through, and that's when you need another person to come alongside -- with words of hope and support -- in order to make the encouragement "stick."

That's how it's been for me and my Hubby this week. We've had the wonderful privilege of being able to interact with former coworkers who have come from overseas -- just when we were beginning to think there might no longer be a place for us over there, and we didn't know what to do with ourselves. We have been greatly encouraged by being included in meetings (though our current status in that work is "inactive"), and we received wise advice and support and loving reassurance from our friends and "family" just when we needed it most.

We've got some good ideas now, not only for helping ourselves through the current transitional time we are facing, but also for applying to goals for the future that are hopeful and exciting. We still have some things to work through, and some of it will involve change and enforced growth in our family, but being able to see the larger picture makes our current troubles seem smaller and more manageable.

I am encouraged! :-D

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11