A few weeks ago, a woman I had exchanged a couple of emails with, wrote that despite having hours of work to do, she had gotten caught up in reading a sample of my book, So You’re Not Wonder Woman, instead. She told me everything she loved about what she had read thus far and wrote, “You’re a great writer.”
At the time I received her email, I was meeting someone for lunch (a happy occasion), but it was all I could do to stop bawling. This dear lady had no idea that I had been wondering if I was wasting my time writing in a digital world that seems to have more writers than readers. We have corresponded quite a bit since then and she has become a treasure to me.
Photo CreditMy new friend isn’t just an encouragement to me as a writer, however. She’s an encouragement to me as a homeschooler and a Christian woman. How many times have I missed an opportunity to encourage a fellow home educator? Bloggers get more positive feedback than homeschoolers do. Our work is so trying at times, so vitally important, yet it goes mostly unnoticed. While I pray that whatever I write on this blog will be an encouragement to others, how much more effective can I be by giving genuine praise to a fellow blogger, tweeter, homeschooler, or sister in Christ?
My new friend had no idea that taking a few minutes to send me an email would motivate me to keep doing what God has called me to do. Please join me in utilizing the motivational power of encouragement by:
- Commenting on a blog post you loved
- Leaving a review for a book or product you appreciate
- Replying to a tweet of someone you don’t know, but you’d like to bless
- Telling a fellow homeschooler how you see her excelling
- Sharing with your husband and kids the great qualities you see in them
Encouragement is like lifting someone up on your shoulders so they can do the work God has called them to do.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Want more encouragement? Check out these great links:
You’re a very encouraging person, and I’m glad I’ve found your blog. I look forward to what you write because I know you’re going to make me think harder and I’m glad for that! I think, in daily life, we often forget to encourage others because we think they must know how awesome they are…or maybe its just we don’t think we have enough time, and someone else will eventually have the time to tell them so we don’t have to….
I think it is EXTREMELY important to let others know what a great job they are doing, whether it be in writing, homeschooling, mothering, etc. How many of us are just floundering, wondering if what we do even matters…when a kind word (which really only take a few minutes, if that) could make all the difference? Thank you for once again writing a post that makes me stop, think, and do better. Thanks!!!!
Amy, thank you so much. You’ve definitely been an encouragement to me as I seek to make this blog into a blessing for other homeschoolers. It’s hard to keep writing when you don’t know if anyone’s reading!
And you’re right. We so often assume that people just know that they’re doing well. But it’s like I tell my husband. Compliments are like potato chips to me; I’m never satisfied with just one! I think most of us are that way. It’s hard when we’re busy, but I try to remember something my mama always said: it’s a sin to think something positive about someone and not tell them. I don’t know if that’s really true, but I do know that encouragement is a powerful influence for good.
Thanks again for blessing my day!
wow, great reminder! You are so right, homeschoolers rarely get positive feedback, except maybe the “you are such a superwoman to homeschool!” which makes me feel like a fake, because honestly, I am so far from that and I am usually such a mess…! I love your suggestions, I am going to look for someone to encourage 🙂
Jenn, I’m so glad another homeschooler will be the recipient of your encouragement! And you’re so right–the amazement that we homeschool encouragement doesn’t feel very genuine. You encouraged me by stopping by. Thanks!