Simply Encourage

Having our two beautiful children has to be the most incredible thing I believe I have ever experienced. The sense of joy and excitement is a feeling I could live on for the rest of my life. There is something about the experience that brings a feeling that cannot be substituted by any other experience or substance.
My wife, while going through the pregnancy experience participated on a Forum where expectant mothers can post their comments and questions to other expectant mothers in an effort to get answers to whatever they might be going through or experiencing. It is interesting to read what others are experiencing along their journey at the same time you are and comparing those experiences. I believe this forum is designed to help ease concerns that one might have when they are not sure if what they are going through is normal or not. There is something about an informal setting like this that allows you to feel comfortable and ask just about anything. It is pretty incredible to read some of the replies to what people are asking: one woman reported gaining a certain amount of weight which seemed to be a high amount and the responses were unbelievable. Instead of showing sympathy, the replies were along the lines of “Oh, I have only gained 5 pounds, or I am not gaining much weigh, etc. The insensitivity of people amazes me.

This morning my wife told me that she had just read where a mother who had earlier been asking questions about different things had committed suicide. She was diagnosed with Postpartum Psychosis.

     Postpartum Psychosis is the most extreme form of postpartum mood disorders and one of the rarest. It is described as a period when the woman loses touch with reality, the disorder occurs in women who have recently given birth. Most who realize something is wrong neglect to speak to their Doctor about this or this disorder is misdiagnosed as postpartum depression and this prevents them from receiving the proper medical attention they need.

Looking back at her forum post, not one person responded to her questions. I cannot even come close to imagining the pain and confusion this woman must have been going through. Now her husband is left to try and understand and he is also going to have to raise his child alone and someday explain to his child what happened to its mother.

When my wife told me about this woman, my heart immediately broke and I began to weep for this woman, her Husband and child. Maybe if only someone had responded or reached out to this woman this situation would have had a different outcome. What a tragedy this is that could have been prevented if she had just reached out or someone had picked up on her despair.

This is just one example of how important it is for us as Christians to be so aware of what is actually going on around us. Even more now with the internet and exposure we have to so many more people. Instead of being afraid to comment or say something to people in need, a simple word of encouragement could go a long way in helping someone on their way to recovery. We see it all the time, When you ask someone how they are doing and they usually respond “ I’m Great “ or “Doing Good “ but we find online people saying truthfully what is on their mind. Especially on Facebook where people express what is on their minds during the day. Every once in a while you will see someone reaching out and truthfully telling the world they are not happy or they are going through something. Whether they are having a great day or a bad day, we can help by just encouraging them. What more do we need to step in and offer help? When people are stating they are having a Bad day, they are usually looking for support or at minimum just want to know people care. The majority of the time we are not dealing with people who are on the brink but you never know. You never know what a person is dealing with or what they are facing. The Next time you read or hear a person commenting on the bad day they are having or that things just are not going well for them, SPEAK UP and encourage them. That is an opportunity to share with them the Truth of the Gospel and how God has made a difference in your lives. Life is precious.

Your words have an impact.

The tongue has the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21).

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life (Proverbs 10:11).

 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers (Acts 15:32).


We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith (1 Thessalonians 3:2).

Therefore encourage each other with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:18).

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:25).

Follow God’s Example. Be an Encourager!

You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry (Psalm 10:17).

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope (Romans 15:4).

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus (Romans 15:5).

Can I Get A Witness?

K

Promise

It is amazing how your perspective changes when you have a child. Just over 4 years ago we had our first and it definitely changed how we did everything. You change your eating habits, sleep habits and even your social habits. It seems easier to say no to those opportunities to go out and do something that would take you away from spending time with your newborn and family. We were 13 years into our marriage when our daughter came along and as you can imagine there were a lot of habits that had to change. Our entire way of thinking changed about how we handled just about everything. You are now responsible for nurturing that child: Feeding, teaching and loving. The time that is spent in the first stages is the most critical. That is where your child learns the majority of the things they will need to grow even more as they get older. What this experience does for us is it gives us Clarity, Focus and Perspective. We think about things before we act and we consider not only ourselves but the well being of our child in just about every decision we make. This is your blood we are talking about here, and you do everything in your power to protect and make sure that child is safe.

Here we are just a little more than 4 years later and once again, we have been blessed with another child and that entire process while still going on with our first has begun again like it is the first time all over again. Schedules are changing, sleep patterns and the decisions we make down to the simplest are all based on our newborn. Having children has brought me closer to God and has made me realize just how much He really loves me. I could have never imagined I could love one being as much as I do much less two. There is a love like no other for a child and that in itself is a Gift from God. If we just take a moment to really realize the impact and importance of this role we play, we will just begin to see how God loves us and desires us to prosper.

The Word tells us in Proverbs 22:6 (KJV) that if you “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” The Message translation says it as simple as it can be said: “Point your kids in the right direction- when they are old they won’t be lost.” There are two wonderful things that happen when you follow this proverb. Not only are you teaching your kids the right way to live, but you are living the way you are teaching. One thing to point out in this scripture…. It does not “ask”, it “Instructs “us to do this simple task. If you want your children to live a life of promise, then we must teach them the Word of God and as they grow in their relationship with God, they will be able to face situations and make the right decisions. This is a Win/Win for us and them. If we are doing what Proverbs 22:6 instructs us to do then we along with our children are walking as we should according to the Word of God. That delights the Lord! Psalms 147:11(KJV) says “the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. The Message version puts it like this: “Those who fear God get God’s attention; they can depend on his strength.” Fear of the Lord is having a feeling of reverence (respect) towards God, combined with awe (admiration) and fear of the punishment of disobedience. When I was young, I feared my father. I knew my father loved me and I loved my father, but I also feared my father because I knew if I disobeyed him, he would punish me. Having fear towards our Heavenly Father is similar.

I have accepted the challenge and will do my part to teach and train my children in the Word of God so that they may grow into the Children of God they are designed to be. It is never too late to start.

Can I Get A Witness?

K