What was the response? The auction lasted seven days, and more than 40,000 viewed it. More than 90 bid on it. The opening price was $1. The winning bid was $610. Can you imagine that? That’s how important words of encouragement are.

Everyone wants to feel like they are “the most special person on the Earth.” And everyone has the power to do that for someone. Moms especially. There are people that God has placed in your path for whom you can give this gift.

In 1 Thessalonians Paul illustrated his care for the believers there by saying, “…we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her children.” This is the kind of illustration that comes naturally, that everyone can relate to, because we see it lived out again and again day after day.

Next Sunday we have a small opportunity to say a big Thank You to the moms — and all the women — in our lives. Don’t forget to put your gratitude into words. And don’t forget to buy the flower. 

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ADDITIONAL QUOTES ON MOMS AND MOTHER’S DAY

All I am I owe to my mother.— George Washington

Mother is the bank where we deposit all our hurts and worries. —Unknown

A mother loves her children even when they least deserve to be loved. —Kate Samperi

Mother’s love is peace. It need not be acquired, it need not be deserved. — Erich Fromm

You couldn’t fool your mother on the foolingest day of your life even if you had an electrified fooling machine. — Homer Simpson

My mother loved children; she would have given anything if I had been one. —- Groucho Marx

W.A. tells about the day of his conversion: It was Autumn, 1920. His church was holding a revival and Criswell received permission to skip school to attend a special mid-day meeting.

At the close of the service, W.A. responded to the invitation and accepted Christ as his Savior. Seven years later he was licensed to preach. He soon began a lifetime of ministry, including 55 years as pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas. He wrote more than 50 books, led untold thousands to Christ, trained hundreds for the ministry. He was one of the most influential pastors in America during the 20th century.

But this story is really about the man who preached that 1920 revival which changed the course of Criswell’s life. His name was John Hicks. He had been a guest in the Criswell’s home during the two week revival, and young W.A. had been greatly impressed with the man’s manner and character. This admiration compelled the 10 year old boy to attend every service and hang on every word the preacher spoke, which led to his decision to follow Christ.

Years later, as Hicks lay dying in Baylor Hospital, his friend Wallace Basset sat with him during his final moments. Hicks said, “Wallace, my life is over, my preaching days are done, and I’ve never done anything for Jesus. I’ve failed, Wallace. I’ve failed.”

Apparently John Hicks never knew about the special contribution he had made to the kingdom of God: how one revival meeting held in a small Texas town — and specifically one sermon preached on an Autumn morning — touched the heart of a young boy who would, in turn, touch the lives of millions in the years to come.

The words of Paul come to mind: “Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and teaching. Do not neglect your gift…” (1 Timothy 4:13-14)

Maybe you can’t see the full results of your ministry at this moment. Maybe today your years of sacrifice and hard work resemble nothing. Remember this: You’ve accomplished things that you don’t know about — and you may never know about them on this side of glory.

What appears to be failure sometimes isn’t failure at all. Stay devoted to your work. Do not neglect your calling. Do not neglect your gift. And during those days when measurable results remain elusive: do not give in to despair. God is using you. —SM

You can be sure that every person you encounter today will benefit from a good word. You may not be able to solve their problems, but you can give them a little extra fuel for their journey.

How do you offer encouragement? Here are a handful of suggestions.

Remember that you can’t give encouragement when you’re talking about yourself. Especially when you’re talking about your problems. Sometimes we try to give others a little perspective on their problems by telling them how bad ours are. It doesn’t help.

Point out what they’re doing right. They probably already know what isn’t working, and they probably already know what they’re doing wrong. Tell them what is working. Tell them something good about themselves. Don’t worry, they won’t get big-headed about it.

Tell them what you see for them in the future. Tell them how things can be. Remind them of what God can do, how he can transform any situation for his glory, how he can transform any person into the image of Christ, how he can use anyone to accomplish his purpose.

Give them an example. An example other than yourself, that is. Tell them about a friend who had a similar problem and was able to overcome it. Or how a business leader dealt with adversity. Or how another Christian’s perseverance ultimately paid off. Tell them a story that will give them hope.

Offer to help them fine-tune their strategy. When you say, “If you ever want feedback on anything, I’m here to give it,” they will probably come to you for feedback — if they sense your sincerity. It is then that you can ever-so-gently point out the things they’re doing wrong. It is then that you can help them improve their approach and correct their mistakes.

Just remember, first they need encouragement.

Isaiah said, “Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. Say to those with an anxious heart, ‘Take courage, fear not. Behold your God will come with vengeance; the recompense of God will come, but he will save you.’” (Isaiah 35:3-4)

— SM