en-cour-age

Main Entry: en·cour·age

Pronunciation: \in-ˈkər-ij, -ˈkə-rij, en-\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): en·cour·aged; en·cour·ag·ing

Etymology: Middle English encoragen, from Anglo-French encorager, from en- + curage courage

Date: 15th century

1 : to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope

2 : to spur on

3 : to give help or patronage to

Yesterday in class, Lee talked about what an encouragement cards were to him after his father passed away, and he brought the big stack of cards and showed them to us. So, today as I was considering what to post - the word encouragement kept coming to mind. I thought it was interesting that the dictionary says it means to inspire or spur on...

When I think of the words "spur on," they bring to mind a mental image of this jockey (little small man in a little green shirt and tight white pants just in case you were wondering) riding his horse and as the horse is flying around the track the jockey is digging his heels into the horse repeatedly "spurring" him on toward the finish line -- as if to say --don't stop -- keep going -- you can do this.

Don't each of us have days and weeks or even months that we need our friends to tell us - that we are doing a good job or that we will make it through whatever trying circumstances we are facing? Who around you needs that kind of encouragement? Let's keep our eyes peeled for someone who needs a little friendly spur in the side this week.

Romans 12:8 (New Living Translation)

If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.