17. King of Encouragement
I have a folder at the back of one of my drawers that I rarely look at but is incredibly precious to me. I'm sure most pastors have a folder like this one. It's a folder that tells me I'm not a failure. No matter how many students complain about an event, no matter how many parents think they could do my job better than me, no matter how many staff members think that being a youth pastor is like living on some kind of dream cloud drinking coffee and hanging out all day, I have a folder that tells me I have done some good things. When I get great encouragement letters I put them in there. The kind of letters that aren't just, "You're great" or "You have beautiful kids". The kind of letters that someone had to write because something I've done helped them in a real way, somehow I've been able to help them grow closer to Jesus (yes, I know, I didn't actually do it, the Holy Spirit did, but I got to be there and be part of it).I don't go to that folder very often, maybe once every few years. I don't need a lot of encouragement. Don't get me wrong, it's wonderful! It feels good when people appreciate things I've done, but I don't "need" it to keep going. I am like an encouragement camel, I just need a little appreciation every now and then and I can keep going. Other people need it daily. They need to be reminded that they are doing well, that they are meeting expectations, that what they are doing is making a difference. Once again, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that's a bad thing. There is absolutely nothing wrong with desiring that encouragement, I just wish it didn't take me so long to recognize that.
For years in ministry I thought people were like me. Volunteers knew I appreciated them, I didn't have to tell them, they should just know. I give them pizza, I let them work with students, I trust them. They should know I appreciate them, right?
Perhaps you are a natural born encourager. You just naturally see people and want to encourage them, it's your God-given gift to lift people up. That's awesome! If you're like me, you may need to put in a little more effort. Once I recognized that other need encouragement from me (as the head of the ministry) I asked me assistant to make a sign to hang on my office wall with the words, "Encourage Someone Today".
Do you know what's interesting? It meant a lot to people when I encouraged them. It meant so much to them that it bothered me. Am I so un-encouraging that the littlest morsel I give out means that much? Things had to change. I try to make it a habit to encourage others now. Not empty, shallow compliments but actually letting them know how much I appreciate who they are or what they are doing. It gives volunteers a feeling that they are actually doing well and acknowledges that our ministry is better because they are there.
Have you been touched by some timely encouragement? Have you been able to make a habit of encouraging others? Do you have any unique events or things you do to show your appreciation?
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