A Sign of Encouragement

Recently, I saw a sign of encouragement. One that was particularly special to me.
While driving, I thought of a recent discouragement and mulled over what to do and made a quick decision to believe the best about it and to move forward.

On paper this sounds so cut and dried, but inwardly it was a struggle to give up my hurt feelings and to forgive. Yet, this is what is required to move forward and leave all results in God's able hands. Within a second of deciding, God slid a red car in front of me within inches of my bumper. I laughed.
There right in front of me was FEAR NOT~ Isaiah 41:10
A sign.. A bumper sticker.

Isaiah 41:10
Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

We are surrounded by reminders to look up. To not give up. In God's goodness and mercy He is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Pay attention,you will probably notice a note just for you, just when you need it.
Looking for the positive is a trained response. One that you teach yourself as you live out your daily life. It will become easier, as you train yourself to look for God in your everyday life.
There are 3D pictures that look jumbled and only by training your eyes to look for the enclosed image can you see it. An image within the image.
I want to encourage you to look around you in your 3D life for the small reminders that you are not forsaken, that you are not forgotten.
That the God of the universe has printed YOU on the palms of His hand. How amazing is that!

Train your eyes to see the picture within the picture. You and your life in the eternal plan of God.

And right now, my note to you is a virtual bumper sticker that is reminding you that God loves you. That as His child, the tears that you shed are held in a bottle. That nothing befalls you in mind, body, or spirit that He does not see. Look for it. His notes of encouragement in your everyday life.


~Debbie


© 2010 Debbie Turner Chavers


Isaiah 49:16
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of [my] hands; thy walls [are] continually before me.

Psalm 56:8Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: [are they] not in thy book?

Proverbs 18:24
A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.

The Safety Pin

At times, small issues can seem enormous. Life and other people can seem petty.
When this occurs, an adjustment of attitude, some sort of mental hug is in order.

My first inclination during dry spells is to retreat. To spend time alone, or with my husband.
Avoiding contact with others, until I can see the positive in people once again with God's help.
But last week God had a different plan and did not wait long to share it with me by allowing my button to fall off my pants!

This was one of those times in life when my glass was not half empty or half full.
IT WAS JUST EMPTY!!

I needed encouragement, a mental hug. A renewal.
My hug came through the gift of a safety pin.

After a hectic start on my first full day of vacation, the last thing I needed was a button to fall off my pants! Or so I thought.
This small aggravation left me exposed in my clothing choice and in attitude.
After packing for vacation what would have sufficed for almost any occasion, I still lacked a sewing kit or a safety pin.
What to do now?

My answer came as I approached the sink in the store bathroom to wash my hands.
As I came near the sink, I heard and saw a woman muttering and fussing to no one in general. She stood at the sink watching me in the mirror as I approached.
Noticing that I was still being watched, I explained briefly, that my button had fallen off as I stooped to retrieve it from the floor. She said nothing in return.

Momentarily, I paused to smile at her and turned to leave when I heard her mutter something in my direction.
"Here" she said abruptly, as she extended her hand toward me.
She was offering me a bent safety pin which had seen better days.

It was a small, silver, safety pin.
Yet it appeared jewel like, extended in the hand of a stranger. Just what I needed.
She appeared embarrassed by her offer of help and awkwardly returned my joyful hug as I thanked her.
She smiled and gave me a firm hug back..... no longer muttering.

I had a great vacation with many blessings but the gift of the safety pin is definitely a memory I will treasure.
The act of kindness to a stranger from a stranger helped restore more than my gaping waistband, it helped pin back together my bruised desire to be an encouragement and help others.
From the smallest gift, we can encourage one another to press on. Do not doubt your ability or your gifts to make a difference today.

Being held together by His Love,
~Debbie

© 2010 Debbie Turner Chavers

Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

2 Thessalonians 3:13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.