Today I relearned some valuable lessons about encouraging others. Today I ran 5 miles, which really is not a big deal to some people. As a matter of fact, just a few short years ago, it wasn't a big deal to me either. But, these past few years, I've been working hard to run 3 miles, much less 5.
So today, I saw this woman running through our town when I was driving my children to swim practice. I saw her again when I came down the road to the park and again when I got on the running path. We passed each other, her at a steady pace, me just getting started. She smiled. Our paths crossed a few more times and she smiled every time. Finally, on mile 2, I said, "You are keeping me motivated!" She laughed and we kept running.
I hit 3, thinking I would probably stop, secretly wishing I could go 5. She stopped and began stretching. I said, "I saw you in town. How far did you run?" She said, "I think I went 5." I smiled (on the inside and on the outside) and said, "That's great!" Then, she laughed and told me, "When you said I motivated you, I was feeling tired, but I decided I had to keep going!" Wow. How cool is that? Total strangers encouraging one another with simple words and steady action. She turned to leave and I turned to run. I had thought about stopping at 3, but instead, today, because of a sweet stranger, I went 5.
It made me think of our Christian walk and how we never know the impact our steady action in the name of The Lord has on others. We also may never realize how our encouraging words may give someone the push they need to keep going when they want to quit.
Hebrews 10:24
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works"
