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We should always be quick to show our appreciation towards those who
strive to make our days better. Many times we take for granted those who
do the thankless jobs that are necessary for things to function properly
and we do not take the time to let them know how appreciated they really
are. Taking a few minutes from our day to buy that one a cup of coffee or
their breakfast and simply share a kind word of what a great impact they
are making can make a world of difference to those who feel unappreciated
and as if their work is all in vain. (Galatians 6:10) (Isaiah 41:6)
Words assumed is not the same as words expressed. Make known their good
deeds and let them know that your life is made better because of their
life. Be encouraged to be an encourager in life. Too many people love to
bring others down, but let us as a people dare to bring others up
encouraging, inspiring, validating and motivating them to know that they
are important to us. (1 Samuel 30:6) (James 1:27)
I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to be one who
encourages others at all times. Let every atmosphere that you leave
behind become better than it was before you arrived.
THE WAY YOU ARE
“That's just the way you are,” she said.
It was like it was the first nice thing anyone ever said to me. I know
that isn't true. People always say nice things. I just never feel
comfortable hearing them.
But there was something about this. Perhaps something I needed to hear.
Maybe something I longed to hear again, but with a different tone.
It was Administrative Professionals Day and although we had already made
plans for gifts and a small lunch, I wanted to thank them in my own way.
So I purchased two small potted mums on my way to work that morning. I
walked in the door and handed one to each of the two wonderful ladies who
do so much for all of us, but it was their friendship I was acknowledging
today.
They were both very appreciative. Later after the celebration ended one
told me she had forgotten what day it was. So this really was a wonderful
surprise.
It would be the very next day that what I had done would return to me
hundred fold.
When I walked in the door that morning, I was greeted with the same
beautiful smile I saw each day.
“Bob, I just wanted to tell you how great it was for all that was done
yesterday,” she said.
“Well, you deserve that and more!” I replied.
“I was telling my sister how surprised I was. I said you had walked in with
flowers and thought nothing of it, because that's just the way you are. I
mean you do things like that all the time,” she said.
I was stunned. I heard, “that's just the way you are,” and stopped listening.
From that point on I had the most incredible day. It may be hard to
understand this, but I don't have a lot of great days. Oh, the days are
always great, but my attitude toward them isn't.
Shocked to hear me say that? It's true.
Monday through Friday I watch ABC News. At the end of the news cast
Charlie Gibson always says, “I hope you had a good day.” Some days tears
run down my face.
That day I rushed into the living room just to hear him say it.
“I did, Charlie! I did!” I shouted.
When the darkness of night came blanketing my bedroom, lying there I tried
to figure out why this one particular day was so incredible.
It was because Ann Marie said, “that's just the way you are.” I realized
that she saw me as one who would do such things just because. That I was
caring enough to do something, or show love to someone because I wanted to.
I have been that way all of my life. I was always the kid who shared
whatever money I had, candy I bought, or time I had available with people
who needed it more than I did.
But no one ever recognized that. No one.
The only other time I heard it was when while going through my divorce, my
first wife told my son Keith, “That the way your father is, he wants to
save the world.”
She didn't mean it in a nice way.
I do, by the way. I want to save the world.
So, last Friday, when I walked into the office I knelt down next to Ann
Marie. I told her, “Although I am an inspirational writer and speaker, I
have a poor self image. I do lots of things for lots of people. Many are
perfect strangers. When you said, “That's just the way you are,” you
validated me.”
I then went on to explain that she was responsible for the first really
incredible day I had in awhile.
“Just the way you are.” Look at the power of acknowledging something good
in someone. Look at the impact a simple expression had on me.
She helped me to see what she saw in me. The me I struggle to be.
If someone would say those words about you, what would they mean?
Because, “That's just the way you are.”
By Bob Perks
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
1 John 4:7-11 “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and
every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not
knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God
toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that
we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that
He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved,
if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”
Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus declares, “Ye are the light of the world. A city
that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and
put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all
that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may
see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
1 Peter 3:8-11 “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of
another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for
evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye
are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will
love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his
lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him
seek peace, and ensue it.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: HOPE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem31.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: TESTIMONY OF GOD'S LOVE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony150.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
