When I was a young girl, we lived in a small home on an acre of property with quite a few trees. One of my favorite things to do was to climb them.
Many times it would just be for fun and to hide, and other times it would be to just get away from everything...to have a sense of being above all the cares of my little world. The above photo is a Ficus tree similar to one I climbed in my front yard, but a good bit larger.
Last week was not an easy one for a few different reasons. How I longed to be up in a tree...the branches swaying in the breeze... and me far above all that concerned my heart; up where the squirrels scamper and play, the birds sing, and everything is right with the world...at least while I'm there.
Over the weekend, in search of some encouragement for myself, I purchased a little book about encouragement. However, the book was about giving it rather than receiving it. OR WAS IT???
Hmm...could it be that in order to get my eyes off of my concerns, I could encourage someone else, and we would both be blessed and encouraged?? That was exactly the point this book made!!!
One of my strengths is that of an encourager...I knew that already, so it was time to snap out of it and get to encouraging...so I did.
I bought my 20 yo some ice cream from her favorite shop which she drove 20 minutes to get to the night before, but they changed their hours and were closed. She's had a rough time and was really counting on that ice cream cone!!
I took my niece, Maddy and her best friend to an RV show and we had a blast climbing in and out of all of the vehicles, campers, and amazing coaches. Their smiles and enthusiasm were priceless!!
I gave my husband some extra loving and compliments on how great he's looking with his weight loss, and offered to rub his sore muscles. He was delighted and showered me with lovin'!!
There were a few more, but you get the idea.
Mark Twain stated it very simply:
The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer everybody else up!!
It is almost impossible to think of yourself when you're encouraging someone else. Of course, God knew that!! And how gracious of Him to remind me when I needed it most!!
Isn't this one a beauty??
Well, as appealing as a good climbing tree is to get away from it all, how much more wonderful is it to help someone else feel better and be doubly blessed and encouraged yourself??!!
Spread some encouragement and joy, and watch it boomerang right back atcha!! :)
Have a delightful week!!!
HUGS,
Becky
Posts
Becky~
ReplyDeleteWhat a joy and encouragement your post is!! Yes, I too was a tree climber in my day....there is nothing like being high atop it all.
May you have a blessed week!!
Hugs~T
i couldn't agree with you more..
ReplyDeleteyou just can't stop some happiness getting onto you when you try to make another happy by a nice thought or a deed.
hugs for you girl!
Silver
I agree!!!! So many times when I'm feeling down and I do something nice for someone, it does make me feel better. How nice that you did so many things for your family! I hope they were just as nice to you!
ReplyDeletePraying this week will be much better for you and you will experience the joy that you give to so many...including me!!!
Thank you for sharing that! What you said is beatiful and so true. I loved climbing trees as a little girl too. I could see so much clearer up there! Thank you for being such a encouragement to me dear friend. God bless your day! Elena
ReplyDeleteBecky:
ReplyDeleteYou certainly spread the joy and encouragement all over bloggy world with your lovely post that we all need to take to heart.
Have a Wonderful Day!
from Roberta Anne
Becky, this is SO true! Loved this post.
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling much better...
XO,
Sheila :-)
Oh dear friend, I'm sorry you were down, but I'm thankful you are aware of how to pick yourself up. I too struggled for a few days last week. I didn't know if it was hormonal, or what, but whatever it was, I gave in to a pity party. I diagnosed myself as having PWS.
ReplyDelete(preachers wife syndrome) I prayed alot, got some much needed rest, and got busy again last night, and I feel much better about things today! I love being a preachers wife, so I didn't mean that as a negative, but I do get weary at times. I have a friend that will say this: "I'm going to my happy place." In her mind, she goes somewhere like you did with the tree thing! You are such a bright spot in my life and I always look forward to reading your posts! May God Bless you and yours with lots of 'tree top' experiences this week! Love, Liesa
I really enjoyed reading this post. How sweet you are to share all these precious moments with everyone. Sounds like everything is just going perfect as God has planned for you. Enjoy your Monday. It is good to catch up on what I missed being gone for the weekend. Jaime
ReplyDeleteHello Becky,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these heartfelt thoughts, Yes,i believe you are right, one of your strengths is encouragement. You have been so encouraging to me over the past few weeks, and for that I am very grateful. I am glad you had a great week-end!!!
Blessings,
Sue
I tried to comment here last night but it wouldnt go through. I want to tell you how blessed I was to read your encouraging post! You bless me with each visit as well! Have a great week.!
ReplyDeleteThank you dear Becky for your loving comment on my post about my mom. I do remember your post about your mom's pillow that you now have and I just loved it. Such a true and precious saying on it. Blessings today! Hugs, Elena
ReplyDeleteThis is a great life lesson, Becky! Thanks for being so open and showing us how it really does work:)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and saying hi:) The beach-wow- I can't even imagine... Isn't it amazing in God's creation how the regions are so different?
I hope you have a great week:)
Hugs,
Linda C
Hey Becky...For some reason I haven't been able to post on your blog. When I click post comment it just says "Loading" and never changes. Maybe this time it will go through.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear that you were feeling down last week. Life throws us hurdles...and for the most part we say...'that's OK, I'm not going to let that get me down'...But sometimes we can feel a bit overwhelmed...like the hurdles are coming at us fast.
I just try to remember the old saying "this too shall pass" because it always does.
U don't know you very well but by reading your blogs and seeing the comments you receive...I know that you are a lady who loves to please. You enjoy making others happy...so I know that you "give rather than receive all the time"
Hang in there friend...Spring is coming!!!
Woo Hoo...my message went through!
ReplyDelete*us* encouragers need it too...and you are right the best way is to get our eyes off of ourselves....spend time in the WORD---that does it for me...
ReplyDeletesometimes it is just a project done, I have put off...taking a good nap, or getting into a book...
blessings to you
Deby
The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer everybody else up!!
ReplyDeleteamen amen amen...You have a beauitful blog girl. I am going to check to see the song that is playing on your playlist, I LOVE it...
Yes, encouraging others sure does lift us up also doesn't it. I too have been told many times I'm an encourger. I've told the ladies at my Bible Study I desire not only to be an encourger to them, but a sharpener Proverbs 27:17...that is what you have done for me girl, as I have read a few of your posts..Thank you beloved sister.
This is so simple and so true. Thanks for the encouragement!
ReplyDeleteWhen your up in your tree dangling your legs, just remember I will right beside you feeling the lovely wind blowing through our hair and laughing like kids again. I love this: Dance like no one is watching. It always makes me smile.
ReplyDeleteThis is good. I need to remember this when I am feeling down, which I have been a lot lately. I hope I am able to leave a comment this time. Been having troubles doing that.
ReplyDelete