Over the years I have worked for a lot of people. I have learned significant lessons from the poor and bad bosses. The one that taught me the most had catch phrases like, “Don’t let the doorknob hit you in the … when you leave.” Or “No, I’m not going to reward someone for just doing their job!” I sensed he believed encouragement was like gold…gold he seldom ever found in anyone. But over the years I discovered he was not an isolated boss. His approach to leadership was common. From a recent survey I found on Google, “Over 80% of managers may say they provide recognition (ENCOURAGEMENT), but only around 40% of employees agree, highlighting a large disconnect in how managers perceive their own actions compared to how employees experience them.” BAM!

After I retired, I volunteered at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. My job assignment was to offer a play experience for a child in the hospital. But I recognized I had an unwritten job as a Believer…encourage the staff that provides the care. Every morning on the way to a child’s room I looked for the housekeeping staff. I remember walking by an empty room as the housekeeper was mopping the floor. I walked into the room and said, “I want to thank you for doing a great job. I hope you know it’s because of you that the hospital can stay open…they shut down dirty hospitals.” The response I got from her was a response that was repeated over and over during my 10 years at the hospital. She said, “No one ever tells me thank you.” This example is common in every workplace, even churches.

The Principle: People Need To Be Needed! This goes to the heart of how & why we were created. We were created for relationships. Genesis 1:26, “Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…”; And in Genesis 2:7, “Then the Lord God formed a man (Adam) from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” God designed & made us to be in relationship with Him & others.

Jesus clarified the supreme importance of this Principle in Matthew 22:35 “One of them, an expert in the law, tested Him (Jesus) with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Every Soul Matters To God!

• 1 Thessalonians 5:11” Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
• Hebrews 3:13 “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”
• Philippians 2:1 “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion.”

And why is this important? We find the answer in Colossians 2:2, “My (Paul) goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ.” “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20. Being an encourager is not a suggestion, it’s part of a Believers responsibility.

Question? Do people see Jesus through you? Do they recognize the love of Jesus in you when your “Happy Meal” is not correct? Are you too busy or preoccupied to say thank you to the lifeless cashier at the store?

A dear friend of mine said it this way, “Get your Pom Poms out!” Being an encourager is intentional. News Flash! Everyone can be an encourager. It’s a choice. A choice that can provide huge rewards!