Encouragement

Our church's women's retreat is this weekend and I have been helping to coordinate parts of it. One of the things that I am in charge of is the "Encouragement Bags". I've done this before at events that I planned in college and it worked well. I even have a few of those notes still stuck in my bible somewhere. Its nice to go back later and remember the kind words written by our friends and loved ones. So, encouragement works for me!
At the retreat, we will have a table holding "Encouragement Bags." Each lady will have a paper bag with her name on it which will be left on that table until leaving the retreat. Please take a few moments sometime during the weekend to jot a note or few words of encouragement to a few ladies (or all of them!). We will have note cards and pens available near the encouragement bags for you to use. This will be an opportunity to edify and uplift one another with words from the heart. Then when we go home we will be able to open our bags and read words of encouragement from our fellow women of Grace. What a blessing that will be!

The BIBLE gives IMPORTANCE to ENCOURAGEMENT

· Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
· But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13
· Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Romans 14:19
· Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29
· Therefore encourage each other with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:18

Please take the time and effort to observe and interact with some women that maybe you do not spend a lot of time with normally. Do not be afraid to point out good qualities that you see in them. It is such a blessing to be told that you made a good comment about the message today, that someone appreciated your sharing about a prayer request, your new haircut looks cute… the ideas are endless! Who doesn’t like to hear an “atta girl” once in awhile?!?