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We should never underestimate our ability to speak words of encouragement
to those who are in need of it around us. The Lord has instilled within
each of our hearts the gift to uplift and motivate those who are down or
discouraged. Sometimes all someone needs is a push in the right direction
letting them know that they have the ability to accomplish that task that
first seemed so difficult. The Bibles tells us in Ephesians 4:29 “Let no
corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to
the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
We sometimes forget the power that we have to influence someone else for
the better, but today is the day for us to remember to be encouraging and
uplifting towards those around us and also to cheer on their victory with
our words of affirmation and praise. Be encouraged to take part in changing
the world by ministering grace and encouragement to your fellow man.
I hope this message speaks to your heart on the power of encouragement that
each of us are able to give towards others who are in need of it. Know that
you have the power within you to change someone else's life for the better.
A LADY NAMED LILL
Lillian was a young French Canadian girl who grew up in the farming
community of River Canard, Ontario. At the age of 16, her father thought
“Lill has had enough schooling,” and she was forced to drop out of school
to contribute to the family income. In 1922, with English as her second
language and limited education and skills, the future didn't look bright
for Lill.
Her father, Eugene Bezaire, was a stern man who rarely took no for an
answer and never accepted excuses. He demanded that Lill find a job. But
her limitations left her with little confidence and low self-esteem, and
she didn't know what work she could do.
With small hope of gaining employment, she would still ride the bus daily
into the “big cities” of Windsor or Detroit. But she couldn't muster the
courage to respond to a Help Wanted ad; she couldn't even bring herself to
knock on a door. Each day she would just ride to the city, walk aimlessly
about and at dusk return home. Her father would ask, “Any luck today, Lill?”
“No...no luck today, Dad,” she would respond meekly.
As the days passed, Lill continued to ride and her father continued to ask
about her job-hunting. The questions became more demanding, and Lill knew
she would soon have to knock on a door.
On one of her trips, Lill saw a sign at the Carhartt Overall Company in
downtown Detroit. “Help Wanted,” the sign said, “Secretarial. Apply Within.”
She walked up the long flight of stairs to the Carhartt Company offices.
Cautiously, Lill knocked on her very first door. She was met by the office
manager, Margaret Costello. In her broken English, Lill told her she was
interested in the secretarial position, falsely stating that she was 19.
Margaret knew something wasn't right, but decided to give the girl a chance.
She guided Lill through the old business office of the Carhartt Company.
With rows and rows of people seated at rows and rows of typewriters and
adding machines, Lill felt as if a hundred pairs of eyes were staring at
her. With her chin on her chest and her eyes staring down, the reluctant
farm girl followed Margaret to the back of the somber room. Margaret sat
her down at a typewriter and said, “Lill, let's see how good you really are.”
She directed Lill to type a single letter, and then left. Lill looked at
the clock and saw that it was 11:40 a.m. Everyone would be leaving for
lunch at noon. She figured that she could slip away in the crowd then. But
she knew she should at least attempt the letter.
On her first try, she got through one line. It had five words, and she made
four mistakes. She pulled the paper out and threw it away. The clock now
read 11:45. “At noon,” she said to herself, “I'll move out with the crowd,
and they will never see me again.”
On her second attempt, Lill got through a full paragraph, but still made
many mistakes. Again she pulled out the paper, threw it out and started
over. This time she completed the letter, but her work was still strewn
with errors. She looked at the clock: 11:55 - five minutes to freedom.
Just then, the door at one end of the office opened and Margaret walked in.
She came directly over to Lill, putting one hand on the desk and the other
on the girl's shoulder. She read the letter and paused. Then she said,
“Lill, you're doing good work!”
Lill was stunned. She looked at the letter, then up at Margaret. With
those simple words of encouragement, her desire to escape vanished and her
confidence began to grow. She thought, “Well, if she thinks it's good, then
it must be good. I think I'll stay!”
Lill did stay at Carhartt Overall Company...for 51 years, through two world
wars and a Depression, through 11 presidents and six prime ministers - all
because someone had the insight to give a shy and uncertain young girl the
gift of self-esteem when she knocked on the door.
By James M. Kennedy
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Matthew 12:36-37 Jesus declares “...I say unto you, That every idle word
that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of
judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou
shalt be condemned.”
Galatians 6:9-10 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season
we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do
good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11-14 “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify
one another, even as also ye do. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them
which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And
to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace
among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly,
comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: WORDS FOR YOUR FAMILY
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem106.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: WHAT A MIRACLE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony54.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry |
