Ahhh, how I love refreshment Proverbs 11

Today is Friday and, if you are reading the Proverbs in 31 Days with me, we are reading Proverbs 11 today. Here is what I heard:

Scripture: Proverbs 11:25

A generous man will prosper;

he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

Observation:

Give encouragement and assistance freely and you will be rewarded with the same.

Application:

Helping others will also help you.

I love sharing genuine compliments and offering genuine help. Whenever I do, I feel better and more refreshed. It’s almost as if that compliment or help bounces right back at me.

And when I am on the receiving end of a genuine compliment or some encouragement… oh, how I love that, too!

This month I have been trying especially hard to teach my children thankfulness by example. And I am seeing my kids smile and grow in all sorts of fantastic ways already.I am being generous with my praise, and they are basking in the refreshment.

Not all refreshment and encouragement has to be directed towards one person, though.

This morning I came across a blog post that absolutely refreshed and encouraged me. I needed to hear what she had to say because I was feeling a bit, uh, stifled, and afraid to let all you lovely readers down. Thanks, Gina, for being generous and refreshing to me. Oh, how you made me feel better about being myself and not fitting in a perfect picture some may have of me. (Pass the red nail polish, please.)

Yesterday I was a little frustrated with myself and feeling beat. A friend noticed and asked if I was okay… then she told me she would prop me up in prayer. That meant the world to me.

Helping someone else can be simple or complicated. And every help you offer, if genuine, can only help you right back. It says so right here in the Proverbs.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for this reminder of the joy that comes when building others up by encouragement or by just pitching in and helping in whatever ways we can.

I cannot even imagine the joy you must feel in offering us the ultimate refreshment– that of eternal life with you. Thank you so much for that!

Thank you for reminding me to pass along your joy. And thanks for all those you’ve put in my life who bring me refreshment. They always make a huge difference.

What about you?

Who have you encouraged today? And who has encouraged you?